April 2016 - I'm very pleased to announce the release of a new collaborative book by Dr. Jim Rieuwerts and myself covering the history of mining in Castleton, Derbyshire.

Titled The Castleton Mines - A Descriptive and Visual History (ISBN: 978-0-9563473-6-7), the limited edition book details the various mines and mining enterprises in the Castleton Liberty from the 16th to late 19th Centuries, with research culled from Barmaster's records and numerous archive sources. Both lead and Blue John mining are covered in this fascinating volume, and the project has received support from the Duchy of Lancaster.

The book, mainly written by Dr. Rieuwerts but including contributions from myself, is richly illustrated with my underground photographs of all the major mine sites in the area, and with particular attention given to the varied and previously under-documented workings in Speedwell Mine. The book also features many other illustrations, maps and diagrams and rare historical photographs of great interest. The book also received a citation in the 2016 Tratman Award, our second as collaborators.

The Castleton Mines - A Descriptive and Visual History

The book is full-colour throughout, is 132 pages, and has been designed and published by Peter Miles at Hucklow Publishing. The book was produced in a limited edition of 500 copies and has now sadly sold out.
 

The Bottomless Pit, Speedwell Mine

High-level workings in an unknown mine on Michill Bank

A short adit named 'Robert Hall's Level' in Peak Cavern Gorge

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