tarboat's photos with the keyword: wildboarclough

Another view from my recent walk on the moors above Buxton. This is looking across Wildboarclough to the bulk of Shutlingsloe. The farmstead in the centre is Lower Barn and that to the right side is Higher Barn. In the lower right corner are the remains of the Dane Thorn drift mine which was being worked in 1879 by William and Harold Hand.

A great day's walking on the moors between Wildboarclough and the Dane Valley. This remote area of Cheshire was once the location of a number of collieries including the extensive Dane Bower workings. The shafts on the moor such as this one were worked in the 18th century before the deeper coal was accessed using adits from close to the Dane, the last of which continued at work into the early 20th century. In the background is Shutlingsloe and further back the communications tower on Croker Hill.

The hills of East Cheshire have seen extensive coal mining in some fairly remote locations. This is the site of the Dane Thorn Colliery looking towards the line of the tubroad leadng from the adit, and the waste tip which has the greener vegetation. In front of the tip are the remains of a small stone building. This must have been a hard place to work in winter when a walk of several mile would have been necessary to reach the mine each day. Farey lists this mine as working in 1811. In 1853 it was disused but by 1879 it had reopened and was being worked by worked by William and Harold Hand who also operated the nearby Robinsclough Mine. The later operations may well have used a different entrance and the colliery appears to have closed again by 1897.

On a lovely spring afternoon I took a wander on the moors looking at the coal mining remains above Wildboarclough, to the south west of Danethorn Hollow. This stitch of six images is looking from the Buxton to Congleton road and Dane Valley on the left, to Shutlingsloe on the right.The land beyond the nearer wall is filled with mining remains as is the area immediately beyond the second walll. There are at least ten shafts and associated spoil heaps visible here. I think they are probably eighteenth century workings and judging by the remains they were not worked with a gin. These shallow pits were probably wound with a hand windlass. Best viewed in original size .

A lone tree and a lone chimney above the Dane Valley at Danebower. The collliery chimney served the boiler for a steam engine that drove an underground haulage system via a shaft. The chimney has recently seen extensive repair work to stabilise its condition.

Dane Thorn colliery tip and remains of building at the right hand end. Farey lists this mine as working in 1811. In 1864 it was disused but by 1880 it had reopened and was being worked by worked by W. and H. Hand who also operated the nearby Robinsclough Mine. The later operations may well have used a different entrance and the colliery appears to have closed again by 1900.

Shutlingsloe from Cumberland Valley. Not many people up there on this day.

The profile of the mighty Shutlingsloe varies greatly as you circumnavigate its loft heights. This view is taken from the moorland between the Congleton to Buxton Road and the road down to the bridge in Wildboarclough.

Heading home from a day walking in the Peak National Park my eye was caught by the evening sun on Shutlingsloe, seen here from Allgreave.

The edge of Macclesfield Forest just peeps over the far hilltop in this view over Wildboarclough from the footpath descending from the Congleton - Buxton road.

I went walking on what must have been one of the windiest days ever, even for the hills above Macclesfield. Nearly blown off my feet several times during the but it was great to be out in the wide ope spaces of the Peak fringe. This lonely tree caught my eye in this view from near Broughsplace, looking towardsCuckoo Rocks.

Although the entrance to the Dane Thorn Colliery has collapsed, it proved possible to gain enough access for a photograph into the adit which appears to be partly flooded. The view looking from the entrance of this remote colliery can be seen here . Farey lists this mine as working in 1811. In 1864 it was disused but by 1880 it had reopened and was being worked by worked by W. and H. Hand who also operated the nearby Robinsclough Mine. The later operations may well have used a different entrance and the colliery appears to have closed again by 1900.

The hills of East Cheshire have seen extensive coal mining in some fairly remote locations. This is the site of the Dane Thorn Colliery which was working in the second half of the nineteenth century. I was standing by the collapsed adit entrance to the upper workings and looking along the line of the tubroad to the waste tip which has the greener vegetation. To the left of the tip are the remains of a small stone building. This must have been a hard place to work in winter when a walk of several mile would have been necessary to reach the mine each day. Behind is Shutlingsloe and the communications on Croker Hill is visible in the centre background.

In response to the request for a view from the summit of Shutlingsloe, here is a shot from Boxing Day 2004 looking east over Wildboarclough. The large house is Crag Hall, owned by Lord Derby who visits occasionally for grouse shooting on the moors.

Looking south from the summit of Shutlingsloe towards Wincle and beyond into Staffordshire.

Shutlingsloe viewed from the moors above the Cumberland Brook in Wildboarclough.

Another of my views of Shutlingsloe, this time taken whilst out walking the unsealed road that runs up the Cumberland Valley in Wildboarclough. The sun finally broke through as I was returning towards Clough House Farm and the view was greatly enhanced by the fine clouds. Compare with the winter view.

With the winter of 2006-7 being so warm we have had almost no snow at all. This view taken from Standing Stone in Macclesfield Forest serves as a reminder of what we are missing. In the centre background is the Stanley Arms pub located in the delightfully named 'Bottom Of The Oven'.