Peter Burgess
New member
I think that legally, an abandoned mine is classified as a Statutory Nuisance. Curiously, they can also be listed as Ancient Monuments. Square that circle, if you can!
Clee Hills
- Thread starter AndyF
- Start date
dudley bug
Member
Quite right Andy, it's a bit of an oiky area, I was up there a couple of weeks ago looking at the locations of the now filled entrances, and a young local youth looks at me, points and says "you do a job don't you". People who work for a living are obviously rarely seen there!
I joined the Dudley Club after most of the filling had happened, but as far as I am aware Castle Hill was filled in as one of the last phases around 1997.
I think the Wrens Nest canal tunnel was dammed to act as a resevoir for pumping in the sand that was used to fill the mines on the Wrens Nest in an earlier part of the works, so is probably totally inaccessible.
A massive amount of local history has been lost through this blanket infilling of the mines, many were dangerous and collapsing, but with a little effort there were areas that could have been preserved.
I joined the Dudley Club after most of the filling had happened, but as far as I am aware Castle Hill was filled in as one of the last phases around 1997.
I think the Wrens Nest canal tunnel was dammed to act as a resevoir for pumping in the sand that was used to fill the mines on the Wrens Nest in an earlier part of the works, so is probably totally inaccessible.
A massive amount of local history has been lost through this blanket infilling of the mines, many were dangerous and collapsing, but with a little effort there were areas that could have been preserved.
matthewjc
Member
Just noticed this post and the comments on the limestone caverns/workings under Dudley, just for interest my dad was at College in Dudley in the early 60's and was involved in surveying the accessible workings (apparently they did a survey for the local fire brigade - who wanted one for potential rescues etc). He's got some great stories about exploring/mapping the underground canals in a 'folding boat' that was supplied by the fire brigade and a two day through trip from the Wrens Nest that came up in Dudley Zoo (they hoped they were not exiting in to the lion enclosure..!).
Steve Powells book is superb - i downloaded it for free a while ago from a link on mine explorer or adit now (not sure), great in-depth history and some very funny anecdotes about holes opening up overnight and what the locals disposed of down them (apparently Dudley Zoo tried to bury a late elephant down one that opened up in their grounds..!)..
There was also a feature in the local news last year re: opening up the caves with a bid for some lottery funding, but i belive they did not win the grant
Matt
Steve Powells book is superb - i downloaded it for free a while ago from a link on mine explorer or adit now (not sure), great in-depth history and some very funny anecdotes about holes opening up overnight and what the locals disposed of down them (apparently Dudley Zoo tried to bury a late elephant down one that opened up in their grounds..!)..
There was also a feature in the local news last year re: opening up the caves with a bid for some lottery funding, but i belive they did not win the grant
Matt
