PRESS RELEASE

                    SOUTH CROFTY WELCOMES ITS 1000^TH VISITOR

‘Absolutely brilliant!’ was the verdict of 13 year old James Peters when he visited South Crofty Mine this week.

James was even more thrilled with his day out at the underground attraction when he discovered that, as the mine’s 1000^th visitor, he was going to be presented with his very own miner’s hat.

‘I think it’s fair to say that he and his father were over the moon,’ said Kevin Williams, Managing Director of Baseresult Holdings Limited.  ‘They were visiting the mine with Mr and Mrs Turrell from Birmingham and, as well as giving James his hat, I presented Mrs Turrell with a bouquet of flowers.  We will also send them a framed photograph of the presentation and a cd rom of other photographs that capture their trip through the mine.’

The tourist attraction opened in October 2003 as part of Baseresult’s ongoing development of the site. Within the next two years, the company plans to be operating South Crofty as a fully working tin mine, employing 200 miners.  That will mean underground visitors will not only be able to look at historic stopes and tunnels – they will also be able to see miners mining. 

‘Our visitor numbers have already exceeded expectation,’ said Kevin Williams.  ‘We have plans in place that will attract many more this summer and, when we start tin mining again within the next two years, we expect an even more dramatic increase.’

An important part of the plans submitted to Kerrier District Council for the South Crofty site is the creation of a tourist heritage centre to enhance the current underground attraction.

A number of free underground trips are on offer to Open Day visitors on Saturday 6 March the sixth anniversary of the mine’s closure.  Otherwise tours can be booked by ringing 01209 715777.

For further information, please contact Sue Bradbury on 01872 862226.

22^nd February 2004