Take an advanced trip down Alderley Edge's biggest mine

by Lisa Reeves

Friday 3^rd October 2014

Fri 3^rd Oct 2014

Derbyshire Caving Club is offering a special opportunity to take an extended trip down Alderley Edge's largest old copper mine.

The advanced expedition on Tuesday 7th October is down West Mine and will involve significant ladder climbing. It is a more strenuous event than their regular expeditions and therefore suitable for over 14's only. Allowing for going to and from the entrance, the trip is likely to last for two and a half hours.

Nigel Dibben, of Derbyshire Caving Club, said "Trips to West Mine provide an opportunity to see part of one of the largest copper mines at Alderley Edge where the main chamber is some 100m long, 15m high and 30 m wide. In the time available, you will not see all of the mine but you will see a large proportion of it with high and low passages, ladders, climbs and a lot of walking. From the entrance to the deepest point visited is about 40 m, as much as 9 double-decker buses stacked on each other.

"In total, we estimate that there are about 6 miles of passages on several levels. West Mine was worked for copper (and lead) between about 1857 and 1877 and again in the 1910s. It was blocked completely in the mid-1960s and then re-opened for controlled visits by the Derbyshire Caving Club in 1975. We do not hold Open Days at West Mine because access is limited to 14-year olds and over and also involves climbing down five fixed ladders, just to reach the main chamber. However, for the reasonably fit, it can be a worthwhile and interesting trip, if a bit tiring on the way out."

Martin, myself and our two daughters (9 and 7) went on a guided tour of Wood Mine during the Open Weekend last month and thoroughly enjoyed the fascinating trip. If you haven't been down one of the Alderley Edge mines we would certainly recommend it.

People are advised to wear old clothes and suitable boots, helmets with lamps will be provided,

Booking and payment in advance is essential. Cost £11. Book online via eventbrite.co.uk.

The trip will take place between 7pm and 10.30pm on Tuesday 7th October.

For more information visit the Derbyshire Caving Club website or call 01625 374833.

Photos courtesy of Edward Coghlan.

Tags:: Alderley Mines, Derbyshire Caving Club, The Edge

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Paul Sidorczuk

Tuesday 7^th October 2014 at 4:49 pm

It would have been better had this notification been published earlier and not on the actual day of the event.

Lisa Reeves

Tuesday 7^th October 2014 at 4:53 pm

Paul - this event has been published in our Events Calendar for weeks.

The article was published on Friday to give it an extra push and show the wonderful photos.

Eric Rowland

Tuesday 7^th October 2014 at 10:52 pm

Memories, memories, memories. As a youth, in the early fifties, I used to spend my week-ends down West Mine. There are some really low, tortuous tunnels down there, not for the claustrophobic! Some of the risks I took would have given my parents a heart attack. I would think nothing of strolling across the Plank Shaft (drop of about 90 feet, I believe) without any real safety equipment. Clinging to the vertical face of Doctor's Cavern, again, no ropes or aids of any kind. There was a group of about ten of us who regularly spent the week-end underground. Paradoxically, I worked down Bradford Pit (now the site of City's football ground) at the time, so it was a sort of busman's holiday. Sadly, no LED lamps in those days, and batteries were expensive.
Happy days, indeed.

Richard Fitzwilliam

Wednesday 8^th October 2014 at 1:55 pm

Eric, I can still smell the faint whiff of my Carbide lamp. Might be time to go dig in a few boxes and see where I put it.
Far too much time spent underground in the Lake District.

Sarah Lane

Friday 10^th October 2014 at 1:22 pm

What beautiful pictures.

Eric. Sounds scary but I bet it was wonderful. If its not for the claustrophobic that counts me out sadly.