Despite atrocious weather conditions on the 11th of February, six members of the PDMHS UEG made it to Pikehall for a trip into Mouldridge Mine. It was considerably warmer and drier underground than outside! Continue reading
Category Archives: Walks and underground trips
Peak District Mining Heritage Walks and Underground Mine Trips
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Here are the guided walks and underground mine visits we currently have planned for the next couple of months in the Derbyshire Peak District. Do keep checking back here, as more walks and underground trips will be added to the list.
All our walks are free, and are open to all (not just PDMHS members). However, pre-booking is required when walks are limited to a certain number of people. As the walks are all also weather-dependent, we can keep you informed by email of any changes or cancellation in the event of bad weather. You can contact us at meets@pdmhs.com. Any changes due to weather conditions will also be posted on the website, so it is advisable to check back here before you set out.
Also, if you are planning on attending with a large number of friends, it would be worth checking with us in advance about car parking availability.
Insurance is required for those going on underground trips. The PDMHS UEG (Underground Exploration Group) can arrange this if you don’t already hold BCA insurance.
Our walks are free but if you would like to express your appreciation, a donation would be very welcome. Alternatively you might like to join PDMHS.
If you want to find out more information about our guided mining and industrial heritage walks, contact Chris at meets@pdmhs.com
19TH JUNE (TUESDAY) – UNDERGROUND TRIP INTO CASCADE CAVERN, MONYASH
Leader: Martin Long.
An evening meet. An opportunity to explore this mined/natural system of limited extent. Grade: Moderate. The entrance shaft of 40ft(12m) will be rigged for both SRT & ladder, plus handline climb on steep slope. A dry trip. Society members attending MUST be proficient at either SRT and/or ladder climbing. Max 5 people plus leader. Guests are welcome but priority will be given to UEG members. BOOKING ESSENTIAL. To book your place and for meeting arrangements, contact ueg@pdmhs.com
Reference: Caves of the Peak District – The River Lathkill Catchment Area (2010 Edition).
Optional drink afterwards at The Bulls Head, Monyash.
24TH JUNE (SUNDAY) – UNDERGROUND TRIP INTO CLAYTON MINE, ECTON
Leader: John Barnatt
This is long and, in parts, wet trip into this impressive mine. Wear oversuit or boilersuit; helmet and appropriate lighting is essential. Wet suit socks are a good idea as the water in the entrance level is often just over Wellington depth; bring a change of clothes for afterwards. The trip will concentrate on the history/archaeology of the mine. The pipeworkings above adit level may be explored, but the ‘Cascades’ link to Chadwick Mine will not be included. Bring flask and sandwiches to have underground.
The trip is limited to 12 places, plus leader/backstop. Booking is essential. There is a £5 trespass fee per person for the Ecton Mines Educational Trust who use their funds to maintain the mine.
To book your place, get meeting time/place – contact John Barnatt by email at meets@pdmhs.com. Bookings will be taken on first come first served basis from Saturday 9th June onwards (please to not contact John before that date – the answer will be contact him on the right day).
Underground mine trips restarted
As members will be aware, PDMHS had to temporarily suspend underground trips last year because our existing insurance was not providing sufficient cover for underground activities. PDMHS needs more people to help us record, survey, and preserve the underground heritage of Derbyshire’s mines, so the solution we have decided on is the formation of an autonomous group within PDMHS. It will be called the Underground Exploration Group (UEG), and will apply for member club status with the British Caving Association and take part in the BCA Public Liability Insurance scheme. Continue reading
Duckmanton Railway Cutting and Arkwright Town, near Chesterfield.
Saturday 17th February 2018. Only one place still available.
Prior booking essential – meeting arrangements will be supplied when booking your place(s).
Organiser: Paul Chandler.
Paul Guion (East Midlands Geological Society) has kindly agreed to show us around this very important and unique geological site. A short, easy walk from Arkwright Town will bring us to the Duckmanton Railway Cutting (located on the long closed Lancashire, Derbyshire & East Coast Railway line between Chesterfield and Lincoln). The cutting is now split by a filled bridge, with access to the west side being over a stile and down some concrete steps. Access to the east side is over another stile and down a zig-zag inclined path. As the railway cutting will be wet underfoot, wellies are essential. Please also bring a helmet (if you require one, please mention it when booking, as Paul’s stock is limited).
Further information and photographs of Duckmanton Railway Cutting can be found here.
In addition, Paul will be giving us the background to the fascinating story of why an entire Derbyshire coal mining village, Arkwright Town, was “moved” in the 1990s.
Duration approx 2hrs. Party size is limited to 20 (including 5 places for Masson Caving Group members). Booking is essential, and priority will be given to PDMHS and MCC members. Contact Paul at meets@pdmhs.com or tel: 01246-220773. If over-subscribed, you will be added to a reserve list.
Visit is courtesy of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust (permit supplied) and many thanks to Paul Guion for leading the walk.
Please help us to keep these walks free by giving us a donation if you are not already a member of PDMHS. Alternatively, why not join us?
Underground Trip – Milldam Fluorspar Mine, Great Hucklow.
Saturday 17th March 2018 (date to be confirmed). Meeting arrangements will be supplied when booking your place(s).
Please note: this trip is now fully booked.
The last PDMHS visit into Milldam Mine in November 2016
Organiser: Paul Chandler.
A second opportunity for Society members to visit this, the last working fluorspar mine in Derbyshire. We will be able to see the progress made since our previous visit in November 2016. Just the one trip this time – a morning visit – which will last around two hours. We will be walking around the mine, so no crawling involved! Photography is allowed, so bring a camera if you wish, but please don’t post any pictures on social media.
There are 20 places available on a members-only basis (10 places allocated to PDMHS members & 10 for Masson Caving Group members). To book your place(s), contact Paul, either by email at meets@pdmhs.com or tel: 01246-220773. Preference will be given to Society members who have not visited before, but please book early! If over-subscribed, you will be added to a reserve list. Sorry, this is a members-only trip – no guests allowed. As our visit will be covered by the company’s insurance, the minimum age limit is fifteen years, but there is no upper age limit.
Wear overalls/old clothes and wellies (it will be wet underfoot in places), a helmet and a hi-vis jacket/vest (if you have one). Lamps & self-rescuers will be supplied, though if you have your own belt for the lamp & self-rescuer that might be useful.
Many thanks to Richard at British Fluorspar Limited for arranging the visit.