Back to Camborne for the February Cornish Mining Sundowner

Traditionally Tyacks Hotel in Camborne has been the preserve of the Christmas Mining Sundowner, but we were back again last night, with only a small turnout of 11. This was not surprising, as a red-alert weather warning had been issued for SW England due to the approaching Storm Eunice, the 'storm of the century', which was expected to cause major travel disruption. Eunice arrived in the early hours of this morning and many rail services are now closed, including the Falmouth to Truro branch line which I used last night.

I have to admit that I have been overwhelmed this week by the response to my announcement on Monday that I would be leaving Minerals Engineering journal this year after 35 years as Editor-in-Chief. I worked with many Elsevier Publishing Managers over those years, and the longest serving was Dean Eastbury, who became a great friend to all of us at MEI, and having retired to Cornwall is now a regular at the sundowners. It was good to reminisce with him last night on the 'golden years' of the journal.

Dean with the MEI team in Cape Town in 2017

And it's always good to catch up with Carol Richards, a Director and Honorary Secretary of the Camborne School of Mines (CSM) Association. She is always busy; at the moment she is organising the next CSM Annual Dinner, which will be in Falmouth on March 19th, two days after the Falmouth sundowner at the Chain Locker.

Dean (right) with Carol, and Nigel MacDonald

Carol is also one of the Trustees at King Edward Mine Museum, only 12 miles from Falmouth, and without doubt one of the world's finest mining museums, and an absolute must for anyone interested in early mining industry. The mine was formerly part of South Condurrow Mine, which was abandoned in 1896. Re-opened and developed as a fully operational/training mine by CSM, KEM was used up to the mid 1970s when the mill became a store. In 1987 a volunteer group was formed who restored the mill using rescued machinery. There are very few, if any, places in the world where you can see 19th century gravity concentrators, such as round frames, buddles, Frue Vanners and rag frames, in operation (posting of 29 April 2019).

KEM volunteer guide Nigel MacDonald explaining the working of rag frames
 to MEI Conference delegates

Carol told me that the museum is expecting a busy summer May to September 2022. The exhibitions have been refreshed to include geology and there is a new  children's area. The museum has a big team already but is especially keen to welcome  people who would like to become  volunteer guides or work in the shop. See the  volunteer video for some of the activities that take place. If interested, please contact info@kingedwardmine.co.uk.

The next sundowner will be on Thursday March 17th, from 5.30pm at the Chain Locker pub in Falmouth.

@barrywills