SOUTH CROFTY OPEN DAY

THE gates of South Crofty tin mine will be thrown open to the public on Saturday, July 21^st for the annual Open Day.

Last year the event proved enormously popular with nearly two thousand people flocking to the site in Pool to see developments and to go underground.

This year visitors will again be given the rare opportunity of seeing the shafts and stopes of the country’s only operational tin mine.  To ensure that as many people as possible are able to do this, visitors will be guided through the underground workings but will be requested to save their questions until they are back on surface.  Hard hats will be provided but visitors will need to bring suitable footwear like Wellington boots, walking boots or stout shoes.  Those wearing flip flops, heels or similar footwear will not be permitted on the tours. 

 As well as going underground, visitors will be able to take part in a hand drilling competition, adult sumo wrestling, a wellie boot throwing contest and local teams are being invited to compete in a wagon filling competition.

Other attractions will include the replica of Trevithick’s Puffing Devil Engine, demonstrations of tin smelting and tin vanning, a working blacksmith’s forge, pottery throwing – with the chance for visitors to throw their own pots, a display of mining equipment, face painting, a bouncy castle, stalls – including a stall selling jewellery made with local tin and another selling Cornish goods and flags - and refreshments.

In the event of bad weather, many of the activities and attractions will be brought under cover in the two marquees that are being put up for the event.  There will be ample parking space and mobile toilet units and Portaloos will be available.

For those wanting to find out more about the progress Baseresult is making towards full-scale tin production, Managing Director Kevin Williams and his team will be on hand to answer questions throughout the day.

‘Alan Shoesmith, our Finance Director, will be here – as will Charles Stericker, Director of Crofty Developments,’ said Kevin.  ‘We want people to enjoy our Open Day and to have plenty of opportunity to see what’s going on.  We also think it’s very important for them to be able to talk to us on a one to one basis so that we can explain what we have been doing in the last year and what they can expect to see happening in the year ahead.’

An acceleration in mining activities has led to the temporary suspension of underground tours at South Crofty – apart from those taking place on Open Day. Tours are expected to recommence in 2008 once the mine’s development programme has moved away from the tour area.

The Open Day, which is free, will run from 10am to 4pm.  All under 16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult and alcohol is strictly prohibited.  Due to mine regulations, children under the age of 7 will not be permitted to go underground.

For further information, please ring 01209 715777.