Holme Bank Chert Mine access update

[DCA]

There has been a minor change to the access at Holme Bank Chert Mine in Bakewell. Pre-booking (or calling in during working hours) is still required, it's just the method of opening the gates has changed. The entrances have had a significant gate upgrade at request of the landowner, who was increasingly concerned with some of the people encountered entering the mine without permission. The code that you are given will now be used to access a safe which contains the keys to the mine gates. This system covers the Quarry Entrance, Smithy Entrance ("curtain") and the Fan Entrance. It is hoped that we will soon be able to add Adit 1 to the bunch of keys too.
Check out the full details on the DCA access registry.

Wye : Holme Bank Chert Mine : Details

Locations: Peak District, Location: Derbyshire, Location: Staffordshire, Caves, Mines, Potholes, Caving, Potholing, Guides, Surveys, Speleology, Hydrology

www.peakdistrictcaving.info

The cost of the gates was met by DCA and they were fabricated by the local blacksmith (who is literally next to one of the gates). BCA have since agreed to refund the cost to us, for which we are very grateful. DCA is not in the business of making gates with locks unless we have no other option. In this situation we were approached by the landowner to help find a solution to an escalating problem in a very important venue to divers, outdoor education and mine explorers. Explorers are very welcome here still and these new measures are only there to help ensure the long term conservation of the mine and limit the liability to the owner. There is a little bit of a piece from 2019 on why we sometimes have to lock mines on the DCA website here: https://www.thedca.org.uk/news/access-to-secured-mines.
Do please let DCA or the owner know if you spot any damage to the new gates or have any issues with the new access method.
Pete Knight
DCA Projects Officer

 

[Brains]

Had a trip today under the new arrangements. Seemed to be a lot less litter than usual so hopefully taking effect.
Locks were nice and smooth, but my wrists struggled to relock the gates blind! Luckily a dextrous teenager was on hand to get the gate closed from the awkward side!
The lintel that Shotlighter and Mark built to round his gate last century is still doing well

 

[shotlighter]

Had a trip today under the new arrangements. Seemed to be a lot less litter than usual so hopefully taking effect.
Locks were nice and smooth, but my wrists struggled to relock the gates blind! Luckily a dextrous teenager was on hand to get the gate closed from the awkward side!
The lintel that Shotlighter and Mark built to round his gate last century is still doing well
View attachment 13869

I just did the metal work, all the masonry was Marks. Bitter sweet memory, as his M.S. had started to bite. I had to hold his legs while he did that lintel, to stop him falling off the plank he was standing on. He still did a great job though, as he always did.