The Stone Quarries Underground
In the last quarter of the 19th
Century, it was increasingly difficult to extract the remaining quality Weldon
sandstone, as a layer of very hard "ragstone " lay above it.
It was decided the best method of
extraction would be to quarry under the layer of ragstone, rather than try to
remove it. The existing quarry workforce had no experience of the techniques
needed, so some ten families were brought to Weldon from Wiltshire to man the
underground workings.
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This picture of the entrance shows that
the ragstone roof was supported on pillars of stone left during extraction. The
stone was removed by "pecking out" a layer of stone near the ceiling,
then cutting out the blocks with large saws. Cranes of a similar design to those
used on the surface were used to load the stone onto Trolleys.
This map, possibly the only one left in
existence, shows the layout of the underground workings. The pillars left to
support the roof are shown. The entrance area included a Blacksmiths shop and
stabling.
The entrance area was buried by British
Steel in the 1970's to prevent accidents after two boys had been trapped in
workings elsewhere. The workings were so well preserved before this, that the
marks left on the stone faces by the saws and pickaxes were still clearly
visible. My hope is that one day it will be possible to uncover the entrance
again.