Christmas trip - Alderley Edge copper mines

For our Christmas adventure we had wanted a sociable trip that wouldn't be too cold or far to travel so Brendan arranged two leaders to take us into the Alderley Edge Copper Mines. With Keith dropping out due to man-flu and Helen stranded in snow, the remaining 9 of us met up with our leaders Nigel and Ed in the car park opposite the Wizard Tearoom. We had a suitably festive walk through a holly filled, snow topped wood to reach the West Mine entrance. Shortly after entering the mine Rob announced that his Duo would have to be returned as he had put new batteries in but it was still very dim. I jumped at the chance of showing off my new Scurion and offered to be his guardian angel of light. My responsibilities of guiding Rob were pretty much instantly forgotten as I went wandering off at the
bottom of the ladder. Soon afterwards I learned that Rob had done a good job of trying to break his neck falling in a hole at the bottom of the pitch....... Oops!
After an inspection of Rob's light a problem with the batteries was identified and once resolved we continued onwards. We spent a while exploring the 3 main levels of the mine before heading back out to the surface. We had a brief stop off at the cars to grab a biscuit or two then had a short walk to Engine Vein which was the main attraction. None were disappointed as we descended the ladders to find the most vibrant blues and greens of malachite and other minerals leaching through the walls. After exploring the passages at the bottom of this relatively small mine, we stopped for some photos on the way back out. Our leaders had prior engagements to rush off to, so once changed, we said our goodbyes and headed to the pub for dinner where we felt a little muckier than their normal clientele.

Loz and Chloe in the Blue Shaft, Engine Vein, Alderley Edge Copper Mine

Chloe in the Blue Shaft, Engine Vein, Alderley Edge Copper Mine

Loz climbs up to the level above Lion Chamber, West Mine, Alderley Edge Copper Mines

The group in the Engine Vein - Alderley Edge Copper Mines

Trip Report: Chloe Burney - Photos: Brendan Marris

Present: Chloe Burney, Loz Appleby, Richard, Andy Kempster, Ian Millward, Mark Burgess, Tony Ferran, Rob Campbell and Brendan Marris

Thanks to our guides from Derbyshire C.C: Nigel Dibben and Ed Coghlan