Thread: Magpie Mine, Sheldon, Derbyshire

No doubt many of you will be familiar with Magpie Mine



but how many have been lucky enough to have explored the famous Magpie sough. When my wife and I were members of PDMHS, in the 1980s, we enjoyed a number of trips from its mouth near the A6 at Ashford in the Water, right up to the main shaft. At one point, a fall had reduced the access considerably, necessitating a scramble over the rocks on the inward journey but, on the outward journey, it was possible to lay back in the water and let the current carry you under the fall - a great experience.

This is our friend John just appearing


Here's my wife being thrown out by the current. Quite a feat for her, as she hates getting her head wet.


You can tell who were the daring ones against those who bottled out and clambered back the way they had come by how wet their clothes were


The sough wasn't only used for draining the mine. Ore was carried out in boats and these lock gates were used to maintain the depth of the water to allow passage for the boats


The above ground remains are fascinating and photogenic, and well worth a visit.

Love it as I'm not an underground person myself

Just bought a new lens, so thought I would give it a try at Magpie.

Very windy, with variable light. I decided on a panorama of 4 views, taking 3 images of each at 2 stop intervals. Created 4 HDR images, which I then stitched together.



An A3 copy of the photo to anyone who can spot the joins!

Originally Posted by Cellarman

An A3 copy of the photo to anyone who can spot the joins!

I think they are approximately here as indicated-

Originally Posted by yamahapaul

I think they are approximately here as indicated-

Nah, sorry, miles off! But you can have a print if you want one.

Sadly, the chap who is on the right of the 3 people in pic 4 and looking at the lock gates in pic 5, died just recently. We are attending his funeral this week. He was a really nice guy and will be missed. RIP John.