Views of Stoney Heap open cast mine during operation
The photos above show our neighbouring area which was subjected to open-casting. These photos show the land during the mining process but cannot show the dust, rubbish, congestion and disruption this caused to the local area. They may show the devastating visual effects these mines have on the countryside but by no means represent the damage to the land, ecology or wildlife that's left behind.
All photos are received compliments of members of Pont Valley Network. Thanks go to those who have taken the time to pass these on to us.
The above views of the valley include 2 aerial views from the 1970's sent in by local resident H. Rocke and some landscape views by Helen King. The remains of Helen's ancestor's family home can be seen in dipton woods. She has told me her childhood was spent on the woods as her grandad was a part time gamekeeper. He was also a dipton milk man then later the head horse keeper at dipton co-op. Her family have been full of fantastic tales and important facts about the area and finds it fascinating. Thank you to both.
here a few pictures passed on to us by a long standing member, J. Carr, pic 7, after the open cast - lanchester valley, regimented blocks, 6 looking up on the site, 4 and snow on site from Dipton towards the Bradley site, 5 Snow on the lane