REPORT ON THE FEBRUARY 2008 MEETING

Nenthead Archaeology

Once more exploring the rich legacy of history on its own doorstep, the Alston Moor Historical Society was pleased to welcome Frank Giecco of the North Pennines Heritage Trust to speak about the archaeology work at the Nenthead site. Frank heads a team of some 13 archaeologists who not only work at the Nenthead Mining Centre, but are engaged at other Trust properties in addition to consultancy work for third parties.

The illustrated presentation gave an unexpected insight into the extent of the 78 hectare site at its peak and photographs showed the large number of buildings on what was clearly a densely occupied location. It is difficult to reconcile the images with the way the site looks now. The smelt mill, which would have dominated the site, was in use from 1739 to the 1920's and was in decline from that point until, by the 1970's, closure was complete. There was no maintenance on the buildings and they quickly became dilapidated and the victims of wear, tear and taken down to re-use materials elsewhere, although there was never a coordinated wholesale demolition plan.

It is on record that over one weekend in the 1980's a miners shop was razed to the ground by vandals and is now evidenced only by a pile of stone. Not surprisingly, as the site rapidly deteriorated, the local residents were far from happy about having to live amongst the ruins and in such a depressing and unattractive area. Complaints to the Council resulted in more buildings being demolished. At that time there was no thought of conservation, and expediency resulted in the destruction of the bulk of the buildings as then, unlike present times, they were not regarded as important and worthy of saving for posterity.

The reason that this was allowed to happen may be that at the time there was no real interest in preserving things that were old and an appreciation of the past probably did not arise until the 1970/1980's. There is a parallel situation in the world of antiques where, after WWll, old things were deemed to be valueless and were victims of ruthless dumping. There is no doubt that many items that would now be regarded as important and having value have been destroyed. It is a source of great regret to the Trust that they did not start their work earlier – even 10 years would have made a difference. In the event it was not formed until 1987 and it's objectives were the restoration of remaining buildings, conserving structures and introducing a programme of interpretation and education.

At the time that they first became involved the only building in use was what is now part of the visitor reception area and was being used as a hen house. Gradually, over the past two decades, it has been possible for the archaeologists to identify the sites of buildings, what they would have looked like and to help with the reconstruction or preservation to something like their original condition. The footprints of sometimes long gone buildings and features were identified and it has been possible to provide data that enabled the original to be replicated. Old mine workings and some of the very many watercourses were traced and many have been restored to give a realistic idea of how the various parts of the mines inter-related. The smelt mill has not been rebuilt but the it's site has been cleared and, with the use of photographs and diagrams, it is possible to visualise the impact that this massive structure would have had upon the whole valley.

A major project has been the scheme to generate electric power for use on the site by restoring a water supply from Perry's Dam to the main site where it passes through a generator in a restored building near the new bunkhouse. Restored buildings are now in use as part of the day-to-day running of the site and are open to the public as for a variety of purposes including exhibitions and displays, educational facilities catering services and souvenir shop. It has also been possible to re-open entrances to some mines which had been closed and buried. The Heritage centre is now a major tourist attraction in the region and caters not only for individual visitors but also school groups which are given a full educational presentation explaining the exhibits and how the various processes worked. Even though the site was intact until relatively recent times, there were not too many traces left of what had gone before and it was the work of the archaeologists that enabled the Trust to bring at least part of the past back to life and to give an appreciation of the history and legacy of Nenthead, where so many people and families have lived and worked.

Work at the site is far from finished and there are many exciting plans for further and more ambitious projects, the only constraint being money and resources. Development and potential opportunities still exist in abundance.

POETRY IN THE NORTH PENNINES

The next meeting of the Society will again be very much concerned with the North Pennines but will have a literary flavour. The speaker will be Robert Forsythe who will give an illustrated talk entitled ‘W H Auden and the North Pennines'. All are welcome to the meeting in the Masonic Hall on the Wednesday the 5th March, commencing 7.30pm.