The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
Any comments on this please.
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Box Mines Closed ?
- Thread starter The Old Ruminator
- Start date
Alex
Well-known member
According to darkness below they are. It's a pity I have never been.
Hanson's have thrown their toys out of the pram and grilled all the entrances (though one looks like it could be easily round). Hansons has said they will not entertain access to anyone including experienced cavers.
There are rumours its the MOD who have forced this as they own part of the mines or at least some of the land above.
However, I know that Hanson's are a-holes they are like this with there disused quarries banning climbing access to those too, I know of one near me I want to climb in but they have banned all access.
Hanson's have thrown their toys out of the pram and grilled all the entrances (though one looks like it could be easily round). Hansons has said they will not entertain access to anyone including experienced cavers.
There are rumours its the MOD who have forced this as they own part of the mines or at least some of the land above.
However, I know that Hanson's are a-holes they are like this with there disused quarries banning climbing access to those too, I know of one near me I want to climb in but they have banned all access.
Oceanrower
Active member
Are any of the entrances on access land?
The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
The MRO was called out at 3am this week as well as the fire brigade. Some young people went in with just mobile phone lights tee shirts and no helmets. They were unable to get out at one of the grills. Second call out this last month I think. Areas of the mine have been trashed with spray paint and damage done to relics. The caving community should have liaised with Hanson's years ago and tried to arrive at an access agreement with key holders and all entrances locked. Madness when any idiot can just walk in do damage and cause a call out. A while back a masochistic group were in there making porno films. I dont concern myself too much with that but people were being tied to fragile cranes. You can hardly blame Hanson's from finally saying enough is enough.
ChrisJC
Well-known member
I believe that last year some idiot hurt themselves inside Box, and decided to sue both the Quarrymans for lending them the key, and Hansons.
Naturally Hansons have said 'f*** you' and sealed the place off.
The blame lies solely with this cretin in my opinion, and that is whom the vitriol should be directed at.
Chris.
Naturally Hansons have said 'f*** you' and sealed the place off.
The blame lies solely with this cretin in my opinion, and that is whom the vitriol should be directed at.
Chris.
Bob Mehew
Well-known member
http://darknessbelow.co.uk/news-no-access-to-box-mines-wiltshire/ indicates two call outs in recent times plus Hanson stated "Last year we ceased all underground inspections on safety grounds". Realistically what else can Hanson do?
NewStuff
New member
The Old Ruminator said:
I'm 99% sure I've read that it was tried, several times.
The Old Ruminator said:
The first part implies that an open mine isn't the status quo. It isn't the open mine that's the issue, it's the recent culture surrounding this particular mine.
There are call outs appear to happen because of the new grills, and that people have not realised they are on as of yet. The common theme in the 3 rescue's is "cant get out through the grills", it looks like the local youth have a popular through trip that's suddenly had it's way out barred up. Yes, they appear to be daft teenagers, doing what teenagers do. But the chances of a call out if the new grills were not there? Almost none.
royfellows
Well-known member
Before the other entrances were blocked years ago one would never be far from daylight, that is what has caused the problem.
Nearly all the call outs are the same issue, people getting lost or cant find their way back out.
Unfortunately, if they had been all left open, nowadays with the changing times the whole mine would be like a New York subway.
The place is aggro and always will be. The grills wont last five minutes.
If Hanson's decide to risk prosecution and fill the lower hill entrances, that would turn the focus on backdoor which cannot be filled in as its inaccessible to a vehicle and on private land. So the poor house owner will get it all. Other alternative after multiple grill repairs will be for Hanson's to just give up and throw the place to the wolves.
To further complicate matters, there other potential entry points.
The whole area is now aggro in my view, look at what's going on at Browns Folly. I am glad that I have enough going on in Wales to keep me occupied.
Now wales is a different country.
Nearly all the call outs are the same issue, people getting lost or cant find their way back out.
Unfortunately, if they had been all left open, nowadays with the changing times the whole mine would be like a New York subway.
The place is aggro and always will be. The grills wont last five minutes.
If Hanson's decide to risk prosecution and fill the lower hill entrances, that would turn the focus on backdoor which cannot be filled in as its inaccessible to a vehicle and on private land. So the poor house owner will get it all. Other alternative after multiple grill repairs will be for Hanson's to just give up and throw the place to the wolves.
To further complicate matters, there other potential entry points.
The whole area is now aggro in my view, look at what's going on at Browns Folly. I am glad that I have enough going on in Wales to keep me occupied.
Now wales is a different country.
Andy Sparrow
Active member
Ultimate solution if you want caver only access - completely permanently seal Backdoor and Jacks but negotiate access via Cathedral shaft?
The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
Is there not a safer grilled shaft near the reservoir ?
The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
" I hear they are closing the mines "
" Never ! It was such fun working here "
" Never ! It was such fun working here "
The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
Classic shot in Clift works.
Crane Country
Near the MOD door.
Winch truck.
Relics.
Crane Country.
Main route.
Saw bench.
Peter Glanvill's daughter. Now grown up.
Railway lines.
The Cathedral.
The steps.
The Robots.
Family trip.
Smoke marks and props in Clift.
Crane Country
Near the MOD door.
Winch truck.
Relics.
Crane Country.
Main route.
Saw bench.
Peter Glanvill's daughter. Now grown up.
Railway lines.
The Cathedral.
The steps.
The Robots.
Family trip.
Smoke marks and props in Clift.
The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
No spray paint.
No lost idiots with mobile phones.
No nude masochists tied to cranes.
A wonderful walk in wet weather.
All those photos date to the 70's. Like me they are fading fast. Over a few years I learned all the routes in Box. Initially using plastic markers with arrows on. ( Until another group turned them around ).
It's a sorry state of the world now. The place should have been looked after and not left to fall into its present sorry state. Yes ! That is what you get with unfettered access. Things should have been sorted years ago. The caving community should share the blame although this is a mine. Now it seems all is lost. I shall miss my long walks underground though in truth I have probably forgotten the routes now. Really the spray paint did it for me. I could not face seeing the decline and vandalism any more.
Ber bye Box.
No lost idiots with mobile phones.
No nude masochists tied to cranes.
A wonderful walk in wet weather.
All those photos date to the 70's. Like me they are fading fast. Over a few years I learned all the routes in Box. Initially using plastic markers with arrows on. ( Until another group turned them around ).
It's a sorry state of the world now. The place should have been looked after and not left to fall into its present sorry state. Yes ! That is what you get with unfettered access. Things should have been sorted years ago. The caving community should share the blame although this is a mine. Now it seems all is lost. I shall miss my long walks underground though in truth I have probably forgotten the routes now. Really the spray paint did it for me. I could not face seeing the decline and vandalism any more.
Ber bye Box.
Andy Sparrow
Active member
The Old Ruminator said:
Probably, I know there are a few scattered around, which suggests the possibility of an access agreement with another party. Cathedral shaft would be the most appealing but being right in the middle of a private garden it's unlikely. Anything that requires the rigging of a substantial pitch would do the job.
Alex
Well-known member
Yes the shaft in that photo would make a great entrance. We won't need Hansons permission for that entrance and the landowner can be bribed with a trespass fees. The shaft will obviously need gating to stop the toe rags falling down but keys can be left with landowner I guess.
I guess the other good news is if this entrance can be secured as an access point remedial work can take place removing all the spray paint as the toe rags can't get in.
I guess the other good news is if this entrance can be secured as an access point remedial work can take place removing all the spray paint as the toe rags can't get in.
royfellows
Well-known member
Before anyone gets excited about alternative entrances on private land remember that its a mine* and that if Hanson's own the mineral rights to the whole area, whch I suspect they do, they have a right to enter private land and seal an entrance should they so wish.
*Technically an underground quarry, but same law applies.
*Technically an underground quarry, but same law applies.
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