Goodes Hill

This mine lies to the east of Eastlays, it is on the opposite side of the Gastard to Whitley road. It is a very small mine, similar in size to Hollybush with one slope shaft. The stone appears to be of good quality but unfortunately the mine floods up to a depth of about four feet after a rapid melt of snow. This is the reason that mining stopped here. The slope shaft is one of the best preserved in the area, it is stone lined most of the way down the 141 steps. Near the top of the slope is an interesting trough through which water is flowing continuously. Obviously a lot of effort went into the preparation of this mine as a large winding house was built on the surface, it is now a private house but can still be recognised by the length of the building. The mine itself consists of one large chamber, there are no passages or pillars so it can safely be said that it is impossible to become lost in this mine.

Elm Park Mine

Elm park is situated in Gastard, it is similar in size to Westwells, The entrance being at the back of the builders merchants. An unusual feature of the entrance is that it is not really an adit or a slope shaft but a bit of both. The entrance slopes down into the mine very slightly whilst the contour of the hill soon creates the required depth until the good stone is reached. Elm Park was owned by Neston estate along with a few other mines and was used as a RAF store during the last war, the bay numbers can still be seen painted on the walls. The mine has two air shafts, the first one is found close to the entrance and only about twenty. feet deep. this was most likely a trial shaft sunk to a much greater depth. The second shaft is at the back of the quarry and would have been made for ventilation. There are no roof falls in this mine and the ceiling has been strengthened in many places. The mine has not been extensively worked and the stone appears to be of good quality.


Return to "Stone" Index

Return to Main Index