UKC

Just noticed this on ukcaving again

https://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=24285

Masson Quarry

Please note that cavers should treat access to sites in and around Masson Quarry as highly 'sensitive' right now and are advised to stay away from the site in the short term until contact has been made with the landowner.
There has been a resumption of groundworks at the quarry and heavy machinery is present. DCA were investigating the risk to the underground sites in the vicinity but unfortunately, the report has come in today that Gentlewoman's Shaft has been blocked by a large boulder. This is almost certainly a deliberate act to block access to the shaft. Thanks to Jacob (NUCC) for the pic.

DCA are already in communication with Natural England (SSSI land) and Derbyshire County Council (planning). Thanks to those who have supplied information on this matter. We request that cavers stay away from the area while DCA attempts to contact the owner and establish the facts.

Pete Knight
DCA Projects & acting Access Officer

Thanks. I've put this on the Masson Lees dry tooling FB page to see if anyone has any further updates on status. It looked like the initial works had been halted and people had assumed (rightly or wrongly) that this was due to the authorities intervening.

Our of interest, are there other convenient ways of getting into the same cave system(s) or would the loss of access through the quarry be a major issue? The spot looks pretty popular with cavers including groups with kids so I assume there are some popular and relatively easy routes down there which it wold be a shame to lose access to.

I walked through last week and forgot to post on here to ask - what the F is going on there? I'd read about a bulldozed trail into the quarry so was expecting to see that. I was not expecting the clearfelling and bulldozing of the top of Masson hill. What's happening? Are the many felled silver birch in the quarry itself related to the works, or are they felled by climbers?

I’m not aware that climbers have been felling trees. It looks pretty industrial in scale - to do with the earth works I think. The assumption is that the owner is trying to fill in the quarry but who knows. 

There are around 3 mined systems accessed from the quarry or nearby. The one that was initially flagged up was Gentlewomans - which accesses a series of mines which finally come out almost at river level. A very interesting trip, especially to see the look on people's faces as you come out of a manhole behind the toilets at Artists Corner.

Kings Mine is a small mined system that is rarely visited and a bit unstable in places, although again a very interesting place for mine historians.

The main mine accessed from here is know as Masson Mine, but it is actually a series of interconnecting mines. You reach it by climbing across the fallen blocks at the far end of the quarry. A bit of a maze at first if you don't know it, but lots of fun and very interesting historically and archaeologically as well as some important sediments for the geologists (stripy mud!). This mine has an entrance from the show caves but it is locked and not generally accessible.

Thanks. Interesting stuff. 

With regards to the blocked up mineshaft, and to be fair to the quarry workers, I have actually seen a small 360 tracked excavator disappear backwards down a mineshaft in nearby Wirksworth. I think in their shoes I'd have put a boulder on the top of the shaft whilst working nearby. 

Is the main Masson Mine entrance that you describe above, the one at the far end under the dry tooling routes? I've wiggled into the entrance a few times to look around when I've been there as a climber with a torch, but never gone any further. Does it need lots of fancy kit to explore it, or are some decent torches, scrambling skills, and a sense of direction/ball of string sufficient for a decent look around?

The shady already had a cover to stop sheep etc. 

Infact entering was awkward as you had to lie on your belly and wiggle backwards into a bramble bush, nobody could accidentally fall down unless devegetating the whole slopes using heavy machinery.

As for blocking the shaft, surely concrete railway sleepers on the surface to prevent any access would be a semi pendant solution. Both stopping cavers and machinery, but not damaging the shaft itself. 

Yes. You drop down and along to the right at the back of that huge fallen block, fairly well-worn. The last bit drops down onto a passage leading away from the quarry face, a bit committing unless you know where you're going as there's a rock to land on that you can't see until you're almost on it. The trickier bit is getting back up as it's not obvious as you motor back up the passage. Ball of string might do it, but please no spray paint - it's a SSSI and important archaeologically too. Head torch better than hand torch, and wear a helmet. Lots of passages from generous walking height downwards, but if scrambling up anywhere be aware that many of the floors are false and may be held up by rotting timbers. If you'd like a look around with someone who does know the way the local cavers are always willing (once this has blown over), just drop a line on UK caving

An update....and comment on parking etc.

https://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=24285.msg302657#msg302657

Re: Masson Quarry Access

« Reply #7 on: Today at 07:41:40 am »

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The DCA wishes to thank you for your patience in understanding the delicate nature of the access issue at Masson Quarry and surrounding land at the moment.

Please understand the owner has a right to work their own land and do so safely. They are currently working within permissions: no planning permission is required to clear scrub or move earth and to date, Gentlewoman’s  shaft is still there but not accessible to us. Our access to Masson quarry or gentlewoman's has never been knowingly been formally agreed with the landowner and so we have never had a right, as such, to walk over the land to access the cave sites. Whereas our presence in the past may have been accepted, tolerated or gone unnoticed, it is possible that now the land is being worked the access situation may be different.

Communication, by mail, has now begun with the owner in an attempt to foster a good relationship and aid future access. We have also talked to and continue to communicate with other interested parties and planning authorities to make them aware of our concerns but to also gain a full understanding of any other issues and tensions.  We hope for a positive outcome for all concerned.

We ask for your continued support to work with us, so please:-

-Avoid going to Masson Quarry or Gentlewomans until further notice.

-Refrain from parking large numbers of cars in the lay-by, at the entrance to Masson Lees Farm when going to visit Jug Holes. (Large numbers of cars are having a negative impact on the businesses of both the owner of the quarry and Masson Lees Farm especially when cars are parked carelessly. Large or articulated vehicles need a lot of room to maneuver to access the track. We jeopardise access to Masson Quarry outright, if we are unthoughtful with parking, so please consider using other venues for large groups coming in individual cars or else car share or arrange a minibus. (This parking concern applies to both climbers and cavers who share parking here)

Many thanks for your cooperation

Christine Wilson
DCA Access and Conservation Team