Safeguarding a mine of information
12 January 2010
One of Britain’s oldest lead mines is set to open its doors to the public and offer free educational access visits, thanks to funding from Natural England’s Environmental Stewardship scheme.
Magpie Mine, located in the Peak District National Park and managed by the Peak District Mines Historical Society, will also receive grant aid under Natural England’s Higher Level Stewardship scheme (HLS) towards the maintenance and restoration of its historical remains. The application was supported by the Peak District National Park Authority, which owns part of the site.
Magpie Mine is an important legacy of the once thriving Peak District lead mining industry, with production first recorded in 1740.
It is believed to have been built in the 1700s and includes rare survivals such as its Cornish Engine House, chimneys built in the 1840s and a corrugated iron building - one of only three of its kind in the country to have been accorded Scheduled Ancient Monument status.
In addition to the stabilisation of the mine structures, the scheme will oversee removal of scrub on archaeology and sensitive grazing of spoil hillocks containing rare plants adapted to high concentrations of lead.
Natural England Land Management & Conservation Advisor, Ben Rodgers, commented: “We are delighted to support Peak District Mines Historical Society in maintaining this invaluable piece of lead mining heritage and hope it will enable a new generation to learn about the history of the Peak District and how it was shaped.”
It is hoped up to 60 similar Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) schemes will be agreed in the Peak District National Park this year.
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Note to editors:
For further information, please contact Charlene Kumar, Natural England Communications, on 0300 060 2828 or Charlene.Kumar@naturalengland.org.uk.
Magpie Mine has signed up to the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement, part of Natural England’s Environmental Stewardship scheme, which is open to all farmers, land managers and tenants in England. It provides environmental and historical benefits and is a key part of the Government and EU funded Rural Development Programme for England 2007-2013 and is administered by Natural England on behalf of Defra.
HLS provides farmers with the opportunity to work with experienced advisors to develop a comprehensive agreement that achieves a wide range of environmental benefits through more detailed management over a longer period of time.
Natural England is here to conserve and enhance the natural environment, for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people and the economic prosperity that it brings. For more information about Natural England, go to www.naturalengland.org.uk
Click here for more information about the Peak District Land Management Advisory Service – a partnership run by the Peak District National Park Authority, Natural England, the Environment Agency and Forestry Commission.
Schools or other groups interested in learning about the Peak District lead mining industry should contact the Peak District Mines Historical Society. For further information about Magpie Mine please visit the website.
