Missing artifact ?

[Paul Marvin]

Had a lovely through trip in rhiwbach today and noticed the the slate dresser has disappeared from the artifact chamber 

The amount of tree down in the forest probably from the storm a few weeks back id quite astonishing, it looks like Miles has been busy with his chainsaw to make things safe .

Paul

 

[Pete K]

Yes that went along with the little bit of wood with the notches for measuring the slates. A few weeks later the jwmper was nicked too. We're working on finding a replacement or welding together some old broken bits to get one back in there for people to see. Sadly we might have to bolt the new one to a wall to stop the artefact thieves.
I posted the following on a few FB groups at the time in the hope of getting the perpetrator to see sense:

Sadly it looks like someone has added it to their personal collection to rust in the garden or gather dust in a hall. There were literally thousands of people who have held that tool and understood for a moment the lives of the men working these mines. Such a shame that an artefact of such importance to educating people about this local history has been selfishly taken. I hope they enjoy their trophy. The irony is that they probably think they are a mine enthusiast.
If you happen to be reading this and you took it, do the right thing and return this piece of history to the mine where it belongs. It sat there for a hundred years and allowed countless people to experience the past before you decided it would be a good collectors piece. Imagine all the people who will never see it now who could have been inspired to explore and conserve in future.

 

[pwhole]

I could list a few items that went walkies from a Derbyshire mine or two as well, but a bit pointless now. They're far better-off left underground - they'll last a lot longer down there for one thing

 

[moorebooks]

NAMHO guidelines are clear on this,  look at , photograph and leave for others in future . obviously move to a safer position if in a danger of being lost but don't take for private collection or profit .

Mike

 

[Paul Marvin]

Look at video 2:40 and you can see there is quite a lot gone walkabouts 

https://youtu.be/RgMpYafWFqA

 

[pwhole]

NAMHO guidelines are clear on this,  look at , photograph and leave for others in future . obviously move to a safer position if in a danger of being lost but don't take for private collection or profit .

I doubt the folks who took the things I mentioned even know what NAMHO is, never mind what the guidelines are - that's part of the problem, getting the message across to folks who either aren't in the know, or just don't care. I once went to a mine-explorer's house and he had all kinds of stuff in his back garden - in the rain. I did suggest he take them all back, but I doubt he did. My favourite artifact is a blue glass bottle of drinking-water, still with a cork in, and a felt hat sat next to it - several early denim shirts lying around too, in varying degrees of degradation. I hope it's all still there!

 

[moorebooks]

NAMHO guidelines are clear on this,  look at , photograph and leave for others in future . obviously move to a safer position if in a danger of being lost but don't take for private collection or profit .

I doubt the folks who took the things I mentioned even know what NAMHO is, never mind what the guidelines are - that's part of the problem, getting the message across to folks who either aren't in the know, or just don't care. I once went to a mine-explorer's house and he had all kinds of stuff in his back garden - in the rain. I did suggest he take them all back, but I doubt he did. My favourite artifact is a blue glass bottle of drinking-water, still with a cork in, and a felt hat sat next to it - several early denim shirts lying around too, in varying degrees of degradation. I hope it's all still there!

I agree with you but at least they are out there and it puts pressure on those who take . The guides are voluntary as it would seem face masks in England but short of enforcement

Mike

 

[mrodoc]

I bet if you look at a diving forum you would find the same comments on this issue!

 

[Paul Marvin]

I bet if you look at a diving forum you would find the same comments on this issue!

Yes even worse, shipwrecks get stripped bare !! I have seen divers going down with lump hammers and chisels 

 

[mrodoc]

Yes I can remember back in the 80's being on a dive boat in Lyme Bay with divers who were carrying enough implements not to need weights!

 

[Paul Marvin]

Yes I can remember back in the 80's being on a dive boat in Lyme Bay with divers who were carrying enough implements not to need weights!

Oh you have met them as well ? and boast about the trophies like you wouldn't believe

 

[cavemanmike]

It's happening all over the place, pengarett hut in Dinorwic slate quarry had some of the original quarrymens clothes hanging up until some prick decided to burn them, I was fookin fuming. I've travelled/climbed there since the early 80s. I remember the cutting sheds full of slates and I mean 1000s, stripped out now  :thumbsdown:

 

[pwhole]

Are these the clothes you mean? From 2015.

 

[cavemanmike]

Yep all burnt. And if it wasn't for all that graffiti you would see the original quarrymens writing better. I suppose it all started when someone put a log burner in there and loads of chavs started camping there

 

[Blober]

Has the upper chamber grill been fixed? That would probably help.