Monument Type(s):

• LEAD MINE (Roman - 43 AD to 410 AD)
• LEAD MINE (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1901 AD)

Summary

A common history with White Grit Mine (PRN 01324), until the Gritt sett was split in 1852-4. A Roman lead pig was found in 1767 and there are possible medieval and post medieval workings also. Old Grit mine became the centre of mining activity as a number of veins intersected here. The present workings at East Grit date to after 1864.

Related records

Associated Finds

• FSA1169 - INGOT (Late Iron Age to Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Associated Events

• ESA6058 - 1997 DBA of South Shropshire Metal Mines for SCC
• ESA6188 - 1977 inspection of various mine structure at White Gritt, Gravels, Tankerville and Snailbeach areas, by South Shropshire District Council
• ESA5173 - 1977-1979, 1981 & 1991 surveys of mines in South Shropshire mining area.

Description

See also White Grit Mine (PRN 01324), as the Gritt sett was not split until 1852-4 and the history of the whole sett is similar. A Roman lead pig was found in 1767 and there are possible medieval and post medieval workings also. Old Grit mine became the centre of mining activity as a number of veins intersected here. Boulton and Watt engine purchased, probably for Old Grit, in 1783 but soon after sold. (but see PRN 17473 - the engine house at White Grit). The present workings at East Grit date to after 1864. The whole area of the Grit mines shows much ground disturbance, probably from earlier working.
The Gritt sett is perhaps the part of this orefield where mining has its longest history. Ore probably extracted by the Romans, but believed to be only small scale extraction in these mines up to 1800s; atrifacts and adits almost exclusively post-1800. By mid nineteenth century all mines on the Western Outcrop were connected by the Wood Level, which ran from just north of Batholes Mine to the Grit Mines. Figures 4, 5 & 6 pp24-27 show locations of mines, veins and levels. History of ownership of the Grit sett mines detailed in this source.
Possible remains of pumping engine house at Old Grit - see PRN 20704. <1>

The engine house (PRN 18863 - LB) surviving was for winding pumping. The slot in the N wall housed the flywheel; the winding drum was in a pit on the east side. Remains of a seconds engine house also. Horse Gins were also in use for winding and the tramped circles survive <2>

The extensive Grit mines complex, Old Grit and East Grit and White Grit [PRN 01324] combined to make an extensive site. The area included three engine houses and a powder magazine.->

-> After 1848 the sett was divided into East and White Grit. In the 1860’s John Taylor & Sons erected a rotative engine at East Girt for pumping, winding and crushing but results were disappointing. The Rider Vein was of great importance to both the Old and White grit mines. The New Engine Vein was worked primarily at Ladywell mine [PRN 01320] and the Foxhole Vein was worked primarily at Foxhole mine [PRN 06951] but both were also mined at Old grit mine. The Wood Level was driven along the New Britain cross course into the Old Grit shaft at 262 m AOD in the 1830’s. After its completion, it functioned so successfully in draining the Grit mines that some of the water was pumped to the surface to run the dressing plant. The Wood Level also drains into the Minsterley Brook, north of the Grit Mines. All three mines were collectively abandoned in 1870. A 1922 Special Report considered East and Old Grit mines to have 4 shafts and West or White Grit mine to have 10 shafts. ->

-> When surveyed as part of a report of South Shropshire lead mines in 1997, 1 wall of the Old Grit engine house was still standing which was considered to be structurally unstable as localised collapses had occurred in some areas. The structure was in urgent need of repair and consolidation in order to avoid further deterioration and collapse. Two main walls of the East Grit engine house still remained standing along with a section of a third wall. The building remains were in need of repair and consolidation. The remains of a smaller single storey building was present at the rear. The building was being used by the farm and appeared to be in reasonably sound condition. ->

-> There was potential expressed for the introduction of a mining trail from the Grit mines [PRNs 01323, 01324] including the Ladywell engine house [PRN 01320]. <4>

1977 condition inspection of the buildings at East Gritt. The buildings were in a dilapidated state and reasonably accessible to the public. No photograph available. <5>

Material mined: Lead. Geology: Mytton Flags. Worked: Abandoned 1901. Visited: 28/5/79. This group comprises of mines variously known as White or West Grit, East or Old Grit, and Foxhole. It is not known that they were worked together, but as the names have been used indiscriminately for various parts of the sett, the present is the most convenient. This sett has been worked extensively producing a large confusing area of gruffy ground, which is described vein by vein. ->

-> From Rider Shaft the line of the vein can be followed to the remains of an engine house, East or Old Grit Engine. The pumping shaft is open … Excavation of the tips at Old Grit has shown that they consist largely of boiler ash. <6>

Identified by the Marches Upland Survey. Lead and zinc mine in operation 1854 to 1901. <8>

A large lead mine reputedly worked from Roman times up to the twentieth century. The winding enginehouse for New England Shaft is fairly intact but that for Old Grit Engine Shaft to the east only consists of one wall. Diagram p84. <9>

Identified, and recorded on an IRIS form by Shropshire Caving and Mining Club. These workings are identified as East Grit Mine in operation from pre-18th century to 20th century (1940), and for which a number of features are identified. Winding engine house and New Engine Shaft (filled) SO327980; pumping engine house, Old Grit Engine Shaft (flooded), Bye Pit (filled) & Foxhole Air Shaft (filled) SO328984. <10>

Site assessment as part of the MPP project; three shafts, one with engine house ruins; traces of other buildings and features. <11>

SO326981 East Grit and Old Grit Mines, an old site mined in the Middle Ages. Big engine house on East Grit erected c1870. Boulton and Watt engine erected on Old Grit by Lawrence in 1873. Waste ground nearby marks dressing floors site. <12>

The scattered remains of Medieval and post Medieval mine workings associated with the East Grit and Old Grit lead mines described by the previous authorities were seen centred at SO 3260 9810. The remains included spoil heaps and numerous mine shafts and were mapped at 1:10,000 scale from aerial photographs as part of the RCHME: Marches Uplands Mapping Project. <13><13a>

Sources

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.