Grove Rake Mine

[OSPA]

This is the latest outing of The Bearded Soup Fanatics! This time we went to Grove Rake mine up in Weardale. It has been a lead and flourspar mine in the past but finally closed its doors as late as 1999.
We visited a couple of other places in the area too but i'll put those on other threads, mainly because there's already far too many on this one!

A great team shot taken in the entrance to the drift mine by Dr.Black, well done Doc!

*Updated*

Here is a link to the photos on Photobucket as the Gallery function on this site no longer exists

http://s537.photobucket.com/albums/ff336/OSPA_photos/Grove Rake_2008/


Stay tuned for Dr.Black and Oddity's posts.

 

[Sabtr]

The long awaited pics. I have fond memories of this place. I originally spotted the headgear on Google Earth and knew I had to visit!
The site itself seems pretty much the same apart from the sink taps have been nicked I see. It's unreal in the changing/shower areas. Almost as if the workers are coming back. Can't believe you got good weather there!
Any pics of the mega spider?

 

[OSPA]

The long awaited pics. I have fond memories of this place. I originally spotted the headgear on Google Earth and knew I had to visit!
The site itself seems pretty much the same apart from the sink taps have been nicked I see. It's unreal in the changing/shower areas. Almost as if the workers are coming back. Can't believe you got good weather there!
Any pics of the mega spider?

Fraid not, as I squished it in a mega panic!

 

[andy m]

Very nice report, I really like the look of this place. Must going up there and having a look!

 

[dave]

Nice set of pics this is one of my favourite places theres something about it the remoteness and the quietness a special place indeed. Looks like you covered it fairly well.

 

[krela]

Looks like a great place *jealous*

 

[BigLoada]

This a very fine site and the last operating fluospar mine in the dale.

You got some very god shots there, especially of no.2 winder. Its a pity that pikies stole the 2nd set of headgear from this place.

Be careful if you go down the incline, it is flooded so far in but there is a submerged gantry.

 

[Sabtr]

Looks like a great place *jealous*

Well if you're up in the North East sometime give us a shout and we'll happily take you round.

 

[BigLoada]

Fraid not, as I squished it in a mega panic!

Awww shame. Poor wee beastie

 

[ThenewMendoza]

That looks ace, loads of stuff to nosey at, nice one.

TnM

 

[smileysal]

ooooooooooooh what a fantastic place, i love this. Really like that head gear, the locker rooms, and all the paperwork still left there. And absolutely love the look of that drift shaft. Excellent pics and an excellent find. Love this.

Cheers,

Sal

 

[OSPA]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I have loads more but you cant really fit the all onto one report otherwise it'd be about 50 ft long!
Once Oddity and Dr.Black get their backsides into gear then they'll post theirs on here too, so watch this space!

 

[oddity]

Just a couple of mine (boom boom!), still going through them. There's more on Flickr.

The head gear:

View from the top:

View at the top:

Inside one of the mines (wellies would be required):

Inside t'other mine (someone's left some rope behind):

 

[BigLoada]

Nice one Oddity. The headgear looks good in B&W.The shots inside the incline are cool too.

 

[OSPA]

Well if you're up in the North East sometime give us a shout and we'll happily take you round.

Absolutely, anytime!

 

[BigLoada]

Just thought I would point out that if you are interested in the history, a lot of the equipment from this mine was removed by Sherburn Sand Co. and its now at Broadwood Quarry. Next time you are in the dale you should check out Broadwood, you won't believe how awesome it is.

 

[OSPA]

Yey Oddity! Like the 2nd pic, you've caught some lovely colour in it.

Come on Doc, just you to go!