Saturday 16 September 2017

Visiting a former Mine in Cornwall...

Now belonging to the National Trust and includes a Visitors Centre, I'm talking about


Redruth Cornwall




We weren't sure what this Trust venue would be like, we're used to visiting NT Gardens and Stately House, but sometimes you have to go for it and visit something completely different.

Diverse it's called isn't it?  

That was definitely this particular place, but enough chatter,
here's some photos...






In the Visitors Centre there were small working models of the mine shafts,
with explanations.... 













There was a very good film playing in another room, which told of the history of Cornish Mining.  I didn't record all of it, but thought you may like to see this bit....(sorry that the sound isn't too brilliant, but if you turn down your sound slightly that might possibly help...anyway, I'll leave you to work that out)



I messaged the Trust on their Facebook page to ask what the initials EPAL stood for.
Yes, I worked out the EP = East Pool, but the AL had me completely stuck...
they replied with this:

"Hi Ann, thanks for getting in touch.. EPAL stands for East Pool and Agar Limited.  In short there was a mine in what is now Morrisons carpark, called Wheal agar (owned by Agar Robartes a.k.a Lanhydrock family).  This was near to East Pool mine which is the prominent winding engine by Kwikfit.  Wheal Agars production was poor so they switched off the pumps which led to East Pools lower levels to be flooded (most shafts are connected).  So East Pool to save their rich mineral levels bought Wheal Agar for £4000 in 1897.  It was from this purchase that the name "East Pool and Agar" comes from.  The mine had a very productive and long life raising 92,000 tons of copper ore and later, 37,000 tons of tin ore.  In its early days the copper ore here was particularly rich, selling at twice the average price.  In 1913 the business became a limited company called East Pool & Agar Limited, known as EPAL.  In 1921 the shaft at East Pool and Agar collapsed, completely blocking access to the mine.  Another solution was needed.  This was the beginning of Taylors shaft and engine house which was built 250 meters away (down Trevithick Road).  This your best and one of the largest engine houses retained the name "East Pool and Agar Mine" and it is these initials that appear on the chimney which towers above East Pool Mine's remaining buildings today.  Hope that helps you.  If you want to know more why not try the link below: Many thanks: "

Wow! what a great reply...and here's the link they mentioned:

'WHAT'S UNDER YOUR FEET' (click link)


From the useful information they sent, they mentioned a couple of sites and here they are on Google Street View:



 the Stack is in the distance of this image, so we parked near it (the first image in this blogpost)

and the other site is just down the road, here:





~ An interesting and worthwhile visit ~











12 comments:

Marie Smith said...

Such an interesting excursion, Ann. Mining is such dangerous and difficult work. A great look at the history of the area.

robin cox walsh said...

Very interesting! Those models are very impressive! :D

Lori Skoog said...


Greetings! I have not been here in ages. Love the painting in your header and thanks for taking us on a tour. Your photos are gorgeous.

Eileen H said...

A very interesting visit, as you say different and informative. Nothing at all wrong with diversity :)

ann @ studiohyde said...

Yes it is dangerous, I just don't know how they did it...case of having to I guess :)

ann @ studiohyde said...

The models helped for sure to show how things worked. All that going on underground, wow!

ann @ studiohyde said...

Hi Lori, glad you stopped by and nice to hear from you :)

ann @ studiohyde said...

Never thought a 'mine' would be that interesting, just goes to show doesn't it! :)

Judy said...

Very interesting, Ann. Great that they sent you so much more info. It reminds me of the Poldark series, also mines in Cornwall.

Joan Tavolott said...

Great photos. It looks like it would be an interesting place to sketch.

ann @ studiohyde said...

In fact we saw a sign to the Poldark mines just a few miles from this one, but as we had set our day around the Redruth area, we decided to stick with it....glad we did 🙂

ann @ studiohyde said...

Indeed it was a good place to sketch...,that's another blogpost to be added 🙂👍