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An overview of Silence Mine
The Society's Conservation Group have been working at High Rake for the last 8 years, and during
this time have been in increasing contact with the local community. As the High Rake project came
towards its finish, we, the Conservation Group, were approached by the Great Hucklow, Grindlow and
Foolow residents regarding the mining remains at Silence Mine.
A brief history of Silence Mine
Silence Mine and other nearby mines were originally commenced about 1685 when it was first realised that
Hucklow Edge Vein (the same vein worked at High Rake Mine) continued below the shale outcrop east of Great
Hucklow village. The course of the vein was determined by a series of shale-gates driven northwardly under
Eyam Edge from the lower ground of the limestone outcrop alongside the Foolow to Eyam road. Sometime in the
latter part of the 19th century the mine was re-opened by the Milldam Mining Company. The company equipped
the mine with a steam engine, probably used both for pumping and winding. Details of the engine are missing
and we only have a sketch plan from the Derbyshire Records Office to provide us with an idea of the layout
of the site. As part of the Silence Heritage Site project the Society has agreed to carry out an archaeological
excavation of the site and to conserve what remains of the buildings.
As part of our work, we intend to keep a record of our progress on the Silence Mine project using this web-site.
There will soon be more information and photographs of the Silence Mine Conservation Project, plus the "Silence Mine Working Diary" on this website, so
please revisit this page soon.
Links and further information regarding Silence Mine
More relevant links will be added as they become available, but for starters here is a link to some useful field notes on Silence Mine by the late Nellie Kirkham
that give some background details about the site.
The Peak District National Park Authority's website records
the story of the acquisition of the Silence Mine site.
The Silence Heritage Site website gives details of the arachaeology, wildlife, access and management plan as well as other useful information.
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Revealing the 'coal store' at Silence Mine in July 2008
Photo © D Williams
Some of the Silence Mine team taking a break from their archaeological excavations
Photo © D Williams
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