Last weekend we enjoyed a truly wonderful walk of over 6 miles around Ashover. Here is a summary of the visit from one of the attendees:
Arranged and led by Tony Wood Peak District Mining Museum and Temple Mine , Tony gave both an informative and fascinating tour of the mining and quarrying industries surrounding this edge of Peak District village.
Tony was aided by his friend, Jim, who was able to add to the tour some facts about the unique geology of the area.
This included explaining what created the opportunity for exploiting the rich galena ores, which created the country’s one-time most productive lead output from the Gregory Mine and Overton Hall mine.
Ashover quarries produced high quality gritstone and limestone, the latter being transported by the Ashover (narrow gauge) Light Railway, especially built by the Clay Cross Company for their steel production.
We saw the now sad remains of the Ashover Railway Station site – a corrugated tin shed affair, but still thankfully remaining as a reminder of this once quirky little railway. Whilst primarily intended to transport minerals, the railway also served the area as a passenger service as a link to the Midland main line at Clay Cross.
The walk took us literally 'up hill and down dale' enabling us to enjoy some spectacular views of the Amber Valley.
An unexpected highlight occurred when we spied a couple of tractors heading our way along a narrow roadway -followed by a least another 50 or so - we lost count after 35 had passed!!
Most seemed to have their entire families on board including pets – some even towed trailers housing family members, well wrapped up against the cool weather. And not a single grey Fergi amongst them!
The walk was a DHBT & Peak District Mining Museum joint event and Tony is planning a further walking tour of parts of Ashover still to be discovered. Thank you Tony!
