Where am I? DCC > ALDERLEY EDGE > CURRENT ACTIVITIES > RESEARCH
RESEARCH PROGRAMME
This page discusses the way forward for research at Alderley Edge.
background | work plans | research programme | reports
BACKGROUND
The Club's interests at the Edge have shifted over time from simple exploration of lost mines through discovery of more about the mines to true archaeologically structured research. To some extent, opportunities still exist for the earlier type of activity although much more care is now taken to preserve evidence of early working but the emphasis has shifted towards more academic research. This change is documented in the table below which formed part of the discussion with the National Trust when our current system of work plans was developed.
Out of this arose a system of classification for work carried out into five headings as summarised below. The most important single development was the creation of Work Plans for all but the least intrusive work. The Work Plan allows the Club and the National Trust to agree the appropriate way to handle each project, whether it is simply replacing a ladder or clearing a backfilled shaft from top to bottom.
The five levels are described below:
1 Where the activity proposed is of very low impact on the historical features of the site, we would prepare a plan of action to cover archaeological issues as well as safety and property issues (such as access and protection for the public). This would require a one-page plan to be submitted to the NT. Once agreed, the job could go ahead. A typical case would be the removal of the redundant DCC equipment.
2 If the activity involves digging but is not on a scheduled monument or in a sensitive area, then a plan of action would be agreed as above. This would include the following important measures: 1 Agreement to produce a record during and at the end of the dig of what is found, 2 a 'watching brief' meaning that someone with archaeological skills, who could be a DCC member, looks at the dig regularly to see if the situation has changed and to decide whether the dig should move up a level. The archaeologist would, for example, look to see if the dig has changed from a 19th century to a Bronze Age site. At the end of the dig, a simple report should be prepared saying what was done and what was found.
3 Where the site is definitely a sensitive one because it is in a known area of important history or it is in a completely unknown area, then the NT will want a full research proposal. This will describe the aims of the dig, the methods to be used, the people involved, how it is to be recorded and how it is to be reported. Proper finds handling will be needed and it will be necessary to record the site periodically. There may be spells of 'easier' digging but the diggers would have to be methodical in their work and prepared to stop from time to time to check that their assumptions about the site held true. Support, capping, ladders and so on would need to be sympathetically installed. At the end of the dig, a proper report would be prepared for the National Trust.
4 At the top level of digging, there would be the cases where we require English Heritage's support and the government's approval (Department of Culture, Media and Sport!). Again, we would need a research plan but this would be submitted in conjunction with the National Trust who would keep a close eye on the dig. All the requirements of recording would be as for Level 3 but in addition, the report would need to be submitted to Cheshire County Council and English Heritage so the expectations would be higher again.
5 If there is a Level 5, it is probably that we would not be permitted to dig at all. If digging is appropriate, it would be supervised by others, rather as Pot Shaft was dug. In this case, we might provide the ideas and manpower but the responsibility for the dig is with others.
WORK PLANS
The Work Plans referred to above are designed to be one or two page documents capturing the essential ideas of the work and forming the basis either for agreement to proceed or a more detailed proposal. The Work Plan template is available to download as a DOC file or PDF. To date, over 30 Work Plans have been prepared. The Work Plan is normally accompanied by a Risk Assessment (based on HSE guidance) even though the work does not fall under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act, the Club not being an employer.
RESEARCH PROGRAMME
The research programme is currently no more than a wish list. This is reproduced below without the detail which is present on the internally circulated list. For further details, please contact the Club.
IDEA
1.0 BRINLOW MINE AREA
1.1 Depressions adjacent Cow Lane on the west side above
Brynlow Mine. Were these shafts, if so, dug by whom and when? Were they the
shafts that Roe was alleged to be heading towards?
1.2 Ponds on east side of Cow Lane. These appear to be mine related.
1.3 Characterise and attempt to date different pickworking patterns. This
project would cover Brynlow and similar older mines such as parts of Engine Vein
and the Hough Level.
2.0 BRINLOW FIELD
2.1 Shaft in Brynlow field near Field Shaft. This shaft,
fenced around, appears to be unconnected with the known mining but lies on a
route shown in the 1923 metalliferous mining report. There is another feature
nearby which is shown fenced round on the 1909 OS map.
2.2 Hough Level near sandhills. Complete the investigation of the passage
leading off from the junction.
2.3 Hough Level and Brynlow opencast. Attempt to date the passages that come
down into the Hough Level at the junction.
2.4 Hough Level between Brynlow and the junction. Research and interpret marks
on the fault wall.
3.0 WOOD MINE AREA
3.1 The Windmill. Size, age, ore around?
3.2 Building on south side of the Hagg. Age, use, relationship to mines?
3.3 Depressions east of track from Beacon Lodge to the Hagg. Mine shafts? These
are beyond the extent of Wood Mine.
3.4 Tips around Timber Shaft. Attempt to date these and see if they are mine
debris or rubbish.
3.5 The Squeedle shaft at Wood Mine. Filled with rubbish in the 1960s, this
would provide a good second exit for Wood Mine.
3.6 Possible adit above Wood Mine entrance. Suspected adit entrance higher up in
Windmill Wood between the current adit and the old quarry.
3.7 Slag on path through Windmill Wood. Is this local? What process did it come
from?
3.8 Research the working pattern, history and use of individual passages,
haulage routes and ventilation. This will apply to West and Wood Mines and
mid-19th C parts of Engine Vein and the Hough Level.
4.0 ENGINE VEIN AREA
4.1 Beacon Lodge shaft. Used as rubbish dump by former NT
wardens but in an area where the Engine Vein fault crosses from Engine Vein to
Wood Mine. No associated underground workings.
4.2 Shafts west of Engine Vein. There is one here which is full of rubbish and
it would be safer if it were secured. It would also provide a better route into
the 'West End Series'. Outside SAM.
4.3 Engine Vein entrance passage. Replace the scaffolding and wooden ramp with a
custom-designed structure. Would have to be designed for minimal damage to the
wall.
4.4 West of Engine Vein. Map the depressions in the wood (work already done some
years ago) and draw conclusions about which are shafts, buildings, tree throws
or Roeder's hut circles.
5.0 CANYON OPENCAST AREA
5.1 Canyon opencast area. Sort out possible connections
between the canyon opencast and Square Shaft.
5.2 Square Shaft. As above. Also, explore level to Pillar Mine and try to date
it.
5.3 Round Shaft at Canyon Opencast: investigate. This shaft was open in the
1960s.
5.4 Pine Shaft area south of Canyon Opencast. Two small mines were found here in
the 1990s. The area needs careful surveying even if no other excavation is
carried out.
5.5 Canyon in general needs to be mapped and interpreted from end to end
including outlying suspected shafts.
6.0 STORMY POINT/GLAZE HILL
6.1 Doc Mine. Remove blockage in main passage and restore
access to full length.
6.2 Devil's Grave. Thorough survey and attempt to interpret the features of the
mine.
6.3 Rock Shaft. When Doc Mine is reopened, we could look at the possibility of
making the connection with Rock Shaft if it exists.
6.4 Depression near Rock Shaft. There is a suggestion of a shaft slightly higher
up on Glaze Hill. What is this?
6.5 Reeking Mine. Investigate.
7.0 SADDLEBOLE
7.1 Saddlebole. Check out the other possible mine entrance lower down the hill than the existing mine.
8.0 FINLOW HILL MINE
8.1 Finlow Mine. Complete the surveying.
9.0 SCOUT HOLE
9.1 Scout Hole (not on NT land but on SAM). Explore and record the older working just outside the entrance.
10.0 COBALT MINE
10.1 Cobalt Mine. Complete survey of northern end and branch
off Tom's shaft below museum.
10.2 Characterise and attempt to date different pickworking patterns. This
project would cover the Cobalt Mine and similar older mines such as the western
end of Engine Vein.
10.3 Clear Trackside Shaft and survey
11.0 OTHER MINES
11.1 Level below Beacon. Re-open, record and close.
11.2 Level near Wizard Well. Locate, open, record and close.
11.3 Investigate possibility of level leading up to road near Castle Rock layby.
11.4 Locate New Venture Shaft.
11.5 Survey level north of Engine Vein.
11.6 Investigate workings parallel to Great Quarry.
12.0 THE SURGERY
12.1 The Surgery. Dating, history of change including refurbishment by DCC.
As this programme develops, this section will be kept up to date from time to time.
REPORTS
R01 - Temple Shaft
R02 - Stump Shaft - Headgear Removal
R03 - Wood Mine - Lid Replacement
R04 - Wood Mine - Adit Bridge Replacement
R05 - 18 Acre Field Investigation
R06 - West Mine - 1975 entrance
R07 - West Mine - 2002 entrance (18 Acre Shaft)
R08 - Brynlow Mine
R09 - Bear Pit, Square Shaft and the Hough Level to Dickens Wood
R10 - Wood Mine - various projects (in draft)
R11 - Engine Vein - Plan B Shaft
R12 - Wood Mine - Junction Shaft
R13 - Wood Mine, Stump Shaft and Hough Level to Brynlow (in
draft)
R14 - Sand Shaft and Probationers' Series (in
draft)
R15 - Doc Mine and Rock Shaft (in draft)
R16 - Cobalt Mine (in draft - updated with additional early photos)
R17 - Reeking Mine (in draft)
R18 - Engine Vein - various projects (in preparation)
R19 - Tree Throw near Church Quarry (in draft)
R20 - Tom's shaft
R21 - Boulder removal at Stormy Point
R22 - Hough Level Crossroads Dig (in preparation)
R23 - Engine Vein Maintenance 2001-8 (in draft)