Material matters in conservation structed in salvaged firebricks to ensure that the structure can withstand the necessary fusing temperature of 900°C needed to fire the bricks. The kiln will hold up to 3,000 bricks for a single firing. The type of brick thus produced can be varied in size and appearance with different moulds and different quantities of coal and wood - all being well! The firing process, using coal as the main fuel, takes three days and three nights, with a further three days for cooling before unloading. The Legacy By date of the School, the construction of the kiln was still incomplete but that has now been rectified. Local interest has been extensive. Branch members have held well attended public brick making days at Acton Scott but the principal interest has been from schools wishing to teach children how to make bricks and understand the tradition of local bricking and local identity. As a result, we understand that the Working Farm's normal public programme for next year is to be significantly extended to incorporate brick making and will involve the creation of a new post of traditional/professional ADVERTISEMENT Lath & plaster • Riven laths & battens • Oak framing & tile pegs • Lime putty, mortars, plasters & limewash • Horse, Goat & Cow hair • Oak !edged & planked doors • Hand Forged Ironmongery • Rosehead nails Credit cards accepted Postal/telephone orders welcome For a copy of our price list/ catalogue telephone:- I.J.P. Building Conservation 01189 696949 Wattle& daub 14 brickmaker. The educational element of the project is particularly exciting and indications are that that aspect will continue to grow. Locally, the kiln will be available to Conservation Officers/practitioners/ Councils and private historic building owners for the production of special bricks for specific restoration projects - again keen interest has been shown. The construction of the kiln is such that future experiments will involve the production of plain clay roof tiles and floor tiles. Nationally, the project took an unexpected twist in early July when Colin Richards was invited to address an English Historic Towns Forum meeting in London on the subject of Local Agenda 21/sustainability and local identity. The meeting was also attended by one of Tony Blair's policy advisers from the University of East Anglia whose remit was to advise on sustainability and local identity. The result has been a request from the adviser to see the Acton Scott project for himself and look further at the concept of re-opening local quarries and clay pits for brickmaking so reducing transportation and lower CO 2 emissions! IHBC influencing government policy?! We'll see. A Wider Perspective The whole concept of sustainability and local identity through the use of traditional materials in repair and construction is something which the IHBC could significantly influence through its membership. The starting point needs to be at a policy level (Structure and Local Plans), particularly as future government spending is likely to be increasingly influenced by Agenda 21 considerations. Shropshire and Herefordshire (and I'm sure many others) already have policies in place allowing the opening of clay pits/quarries for local use. Several people at and after the School have expressed an interest in generating a similar project in their own area. We would be happy to advise on practical and technical issues. Dave Baxter SNAILBEACHMINE Snailbeach Lead Mine is situated within the village of Snailbeach some 16 km south-west of Shrewsbury at the northern end of the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve. The mine produced principally galena (lead sulphide) with some sphalerite (zinc sulphide) and ba,ytes (barium sulphate) reputedly from Roman times to the mid 1950s. The ore was obtained mainly from a single vein some 1 km long which is tilted at 70° to 80° from horizontal. In its heyday from 1800 -1900, the mine was probably the most productive lead mine in the country, but falling lead prices and increasing costs of working at a depth of over 500 metres resulted in the mine closing and pumping being stopped in 1911. The machinery was stripped out and the buildings were abandoned. After that date intermittent small-scale mining of ba1ytes took place in the upper non-flooded parts of the mine until 1955. The narrow gauge railway built to se1ve the mine in 1877 stayed in use until the mid 1950s, when it too was dismantled after being used to transport roadstone from Callow Hill. Thus, from 1911 the mine and the various structures were allowed to deteriorate. The most obvious relic was a large unvegetated white spoil tip covering over 3 ha. Over the years there was increasing concern regarding the wind and water erosion of contaminated material from the tailings tip, the open shafts or adits, collapsing shallow workings and crumbling buildings. From 1986 to 1989 the County Council commissioned a series of complex technical studies to identify the extent of the problems and to provide a cost effective solution. Since the mine is located within the village (population 300) local people were consulted on all aspects of these studies. At an early stage it became evident that although safety works would be welcome, any end use that attracted a large influx of visitors disturbing the peaceful nature of the area would not be acceptable. With the benefit of grants from English Partnerships, English Heritage and South Shropshire DC, the County Council was able to acquire the freehold of the majority of the site in 1990 and embarked on a comprehensive land reclamation scheme and building consolidation programme. This is now substantially complete. Buildings An important aspect of the study was an archaeological survey which documented the various features. Included are 25 buildings, 12 of which are listed Grade II, and other major structures deemed to be unsafe and in need of demolition or 'attention'. At an early stage, in discussion with English Heritage, it became evident that individually the buildings have little merit, but, collectively, are unique and are considered to be of national importance. As a result, a decision was made not to demolish any of the buildings but to make them safe by consolidation as ruins. Context59 September 1998
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