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Cornish Studies Library


he Cornish Studies Library, based at the Cornwall Centre in Alma Place, Redruth, is Cornwall Council’s


principal library of Cornish interest publications and specialises in helping those studying Cornwall. The collection covers Cornwall’s history, geography, industries, customs and other aspects of Cornish life, such as the Cornish overseas, as well as family history. It includes approximately 40,000 printed books and pamphlets, and extensive collections of journals, magazines, maps and charts. Cornish newspapers dating from the early 19th century to the present day are available on microfilm. These include the ‘West Briton’, ‘Cornishman’ and ‘Cornish Times’. Many thousands of photographs of Cornish towns and villages, industrial landscapes and architecture from the 19th century onwards can be also be viewed here. There


East Pool Mine E


is space to study in comfort and access to the internet for family history and local history research. Cornwall’s rich mining heritage is highlighted throughout the collections. There are opportunities to discover more about the industrial history, technological development, social conditions and everyday lives of the mining communities. You can also read volumes of the ‘Mining Journal’ from the 19th century which show Cornwall’s impact on the mining. A visit here can help you to uncover your own family history and mining ancestors through the pages of the census returns, trade directories and parish register transcriptions; or chart the history of individual mines or mining areas.


Price Free


with Portreath


Address Cornish Studies Library, The Cornwall Centre, Alma Place, Redruth, TR15 2AT Telephone 01209 216760 www.cornwall.gov.uk/ cornwallcentre


Opening times Monday to Friday 10.00 - 17.00, Saturday 10.00 - 16.00


Address Illogan Highway, Pool, Redruth,


ast Pool is one of the few 18th century mines that continued working into living memory and its history


lives on in the visitors and volunteers who remember the engines working. Many still remember playing on the aerial ropeway that conveyed ore to the processing plant in Tolvaddon. Visitors from across the globe come in search of their family history. Many Cornish mines have a turbulent history and East


Pool is no different. Beginning life as East Pool Mine in 1834, it was previously known as Poor Old Bal. The fluctuating prices of Tin and Copper led to varying fortunes. Dividends of up to 500% were paid to adventurers (shareholders) in the early days. The mine closed at the end of the Second World War with the loss of the Mining Subsidies.


Subsequently, the site took on various roles most notably a mechanics workshop servicing coaches. The mine workings were taken on by neighbouring South Crofty.


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In the 1960s the headgear collapsed and much of the remaining machinery was removed in the 1970s. Fortunately the two beam engines on the site had


previously been saved by a succession of foresighted people, who saw their importance to Cornish mining history. The Cornish Engines Preservation Society saved Michell’s winding engine, which was used on the site until 1921. An American enthusiast Mr. Greville Bathe saved Taylor’s pumping engine which was used to pump 450 gallons of water a minute. It was kept working after the mine closed to stop South Crofty from flooding. Both are now in the care of the National Trust and are open to visitors through the summer season. The National Trust has recently updated the displays in the museum with new hands-on interactive interpretations and a short film, helping people understand the science, skill and ingenuity behind the magnificent machines on display and those who worked with them.


Cornwall, TR15 3ED Telephone 01209 315027 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ main/w-east-pool-mine


Price


Adult: £6.80 Child: £3.30 Family £16.80


Opening times 1st Apr to 30th Jun: Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sun, 11.00 – 17.00


1st Jul to 31st Aug: Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun, 11.00 – 17.00


01st Sep to 30th Oct: Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sun 11.00 – 17.00


he King Edward Mine has a long and interesting history. In 1897, the Camborne School of Mines took


over the abandoned part of South Condurrow Mine at Troon for educational purposes. In 1901, it was re-named King Edward Mine (KEM). The idea was that the mine would operate semi-commercially, employing some 10- 20 men, with most of the work being carried out by the students.


In 1974 CSM moved from Camborne to a bigger building


at Pool and King Edward Mine was no longer required for educational purposes. In 1987, a volunteer group started work to turn this part of KEM into a working mining museum. The mine opened to the public in 2002. The mine continues to be developed, run and managed by the enthusiastic volunteers. King Edward Mine is the oldest complete mining site left in Cornwall. When built it reflected the best of Cornish


Mining practice. The site buildings, many of which were ‘temporary’ timber-framed structures, are very rare survivors of our industrial past. Today they are Listed Grade II* which puts them in the top 6% of Listed buildings in the country. Modern day visitors can see the Engine Shaft along with


its steam hoist and compressor house. There is a small museum telling the story of the site, mining techniques, tin dressing and the human side of the site. There is also a large selection of artifacts and information about the Holmans of Camborne, Cornwall’s greatest engineering company, who employed more than 3000 people in the 1950’s. The great Cornish photographer J.C. Burrow photographed the mine and many of his photos are on display.


Also to be seen are the Californian Stamps, the only full size set in existence in the U.K. and probably in Europe.


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Address King Edward Mine Museum, Troon, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 9DP Telephone 01209 614681 www.kingedwardmine.co.uk


Opening times Open May to September. For detailed opening times see website. Parties can be arranged throughout the year.


Price


Adults £5 Under 16s £1 Children under 5 FREE


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