Youd's Level Retirement Plan

[pwhole]

Not that I know of, though obviously I don't give out the key, so the Museum would be the best-placed to answer - but haven't they been closed anyway? If so, there's no way in other than Deep Shaft! I think there have been trips down there - Masson have one listed from last July on their site:

https://massoncaving.com/2020/07/19/day-deep-shaft-to-youds-18-7-20/

 

[Craig Youds]

Hi,
not in any way part of this community, but I just stumbled on this thread whilst looking on Google maps with my Grandfather for the former hotel at Dale House, 140 Dale Road, Matlock that my Great Grandfather owned, after noticing "Youd's Level Entry/Exit" across the road from there.

I understand this post is in no way conducive to your aims, nor directly relevant to caving, but it seems that the man who discovered the level was actually my Great Grandfather, Stewart Edward Youds - either that or this is a huge coincidence 🤣. Really very interesting, and mildly thrilling, to see that my family name has had something of an impact on an historic location, and caused some manner of debate amongst you guys.

If anyone had any knowledge on how the level was discovered, it would be greatly appreciated if they could share it, if for nothing more than to satisfy my curiosity. Either way, happy to set the record straight on the spelling of his first name 🤣

Regardless, I wish you all the very best. Stay safe everyone.

 

[Pitlamp]

If no-one on this forum is able to answer you, it may be worth consulting the Peak District Mines Historical Society, which holds extensive records of this kind.

 

[Jim MacPherson]

Just out of a bit of interest, a Harry Parker snap, there are a couple of Dickie Bird's excellent B/W photos of stuff inside the level on the AditNow website, if you have access, may be in PDHMS archive also?​

After trip brew 1977​

Taken during initial opening and exploration of the sough from house garden.
L/R, Les Riley, Sue Garner (Riley), Terry Worthington, Dave Warriner, Lynn Willies and Jim MacPherson.


Jim

 

[pwhole]

Bulletin 8-2 - Ringing Rake and Masson Soughs and the mines on the East Side of Masson Hill, Matlock is the one to read, which mentions the discovery of the sough by Stuart Youds in 1977 after digging to locate a drain.

 

[AR]

Available to download from our website - https://pdmhs.co.uk/MiningHistory/B... on the East Side of Masson Hill, Matlock.pdf

 

[LarryFatcat]

thanks to Peak CC's dig, the two systems are connected and the thru trip is not only possible, it has been completed more than once now.
NB anyone larger than average will probably have an unexpected 50m prissik back up the narrow shaft and even the average will have to dig out a couple of the wet squeezes.

 

[Mrs Trellis]

Interesting graffiti - including the triple crossed I. Suggest it is probably a rendering of J. so AI passage in Peak/Speedwell is probably AJ passage.