Consolidation and repair work North Pennines lead mining sites

12 August 2024

The North Pennines National Landscape team have commenced work on consolidating and repairing lead mining remains at eight sites across the North Pennines as part of the Land of Lead and Silver project.

The project, which runs between January 2024 to December 2027, has been awarded £2.8 million in funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players, and Historic England, with subsequent funding from the Rural England Prosperity Fund and Defra’s Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme.

The North Pennines is redolent with the legacy of mining: spoil heaps, mineshafts, ore processing sites, flues and chimneys, headgear, and powder houses. Minerals of many types have been the foundation of the area’s economy for centuries and lead (and silver) mining, and smelting has had the most impact on the landscape. Many mining sites also have their own important ecology or geomorphology.

The Land of Lead and Silver project aims to conserve and record the most important ‘at risk’ mining heritage in the North Pennines so their stories can be told for generations to come. The project prioritises those sites most in need and where work would support other objectives – develop a sense of place, tell key stories, and provide training and access opportunities.

The consolidation and repair works are taking place at eight priority structures: Frolar Meadows flues, Allendale; Allen Smelt Mill, Allendale; Allenheads ore floor, Holms Linn; Sinderhope; Coldberry, Middleton in Teesdale; Middlehope Shield mine structures, Westgate; Nenthead engine bases, Cumbria; and Augill Smelting Mill, near Brough.

Working with conservation-accredited architect Tristan Spicer, from Doonan Architects in Hexham, and contractor Heritage Consolidation Ltd, the work will make these vulnerable mining heritage structures safely accessible and secure for the future. In consultation with Historic England, all work at these scheduled monuments will be carried out in a way that avoids damage to the surrounding ground and existing structures.

Architect Tristan Spicer said: “After months of hard work, carrying out surveys, inspections and getting all the necessary approvals in place, it is great to make a start on the repair works for this exciting project. We are looking forward to repairing several very interesting structures and buildings over the next few years. It is really satisfying to bring them back into a state of good repair so these industrial remnants can continue to be a part of the North Pennines landscape.”

All the physical works have been preceded by an ecological assessment to ensure that the design and the timing of work does not damage wildlife habitat or disturb species at each site.

Consolidation and repair work to heritage structures requires specialist skills and the project offers the opportunity to provide training to apprentices, volunteers, landowners, and the people from the local community. There will also be talks to groups about the work being undertaken.

Gary Simpson said: “Heritage Consolidation is very proud to receive the conservation contract from the North Pennines National Landscape team for their Land of Lead and Silver project. It is a testament to our dedication, expertise, and passion for preserving historical sites. Our team of skilled stonemasons are eager to commence work on the eight historical industrial sites.  Winning this contract reaffirms our commitment to excellence in the field of heritage conservation, and we look forward to contributing to the preservation of such an important piece of our cultural legacy.”

The contractors will be on site from late July 2024 and the contract runs until 2026. An outcome of the work will be a long-term, volunteer-led, maintenance programme for mining heritage.

ENDS

Media enquiries

For further information and alternative images, contact the communications team at the North Pennines National Landscape, email: communications@northpenninesaonb.org.uk or call 01388 528801. Images of the architect, contractor, and members of the North Pennines National Landscape team on site are all ©North Pennines National Landscape.

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
As the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage, The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033.

Over the next ten years, the Heritage Fund aims to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to bring about benefits for people, places and the natural environment.

The Heritage Fund helps protect, transform and share the things from the past that people care about, from popular museums and historic places, our natural environment and fragile species, to the languages and cultural traditions that celebrate who we are.

The Heritage Fund is passionate about heritage and committed to driving innovation and collaboration to make a positive difference to people’s lives today, while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.

Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund  www.heritagefund.org.uk.

About Historic England
We are Historic England the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England’s spectacular historic environment, from beaches and battlefields to parks and pie shops. We protect, champion, and save the places that define who we are and where we’ve come from as a nation. We care passionately about the stories they tell, the ideas they represent and the people who live, work, and play among them. Working with communities and specialists we share our passion, knowledge, and skills to inspire interest, care, and conservation, so everyone can keep enjoying and looking after the history that surrounds us all.

Follow us on social media @HistoricEngland

The North Pennines National Landscape is one of England’s most special places – a peaceful, unspoilt landscape with a rich history and vibrant natural beauty. It was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1988. The purpose of this nationally recognised designation is the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty of the area.

The North Pennines National Landscape Partnership is an alliance of public, statutory and voluntary sector bodies with an interest in the future of the North Pennines. The work of the Partnership is carried out by the National Landscape team which takes action to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area, to raise awareness of its special qualities and to improve the quality of life for local people.

The Land of Lead and Silver project has been awarded funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England and will run between January 2024 to December 2027, working with volunteers and local communities to unearth the stories of lead and silver mining in the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark.