|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
|
CHARCOAL BURNERS OF LONG AGO |
|||||||||||||||||
Up to about 1830 charcoal was used for smelting and forging the sickles that were ground by the water-powered mills in the Moss Valley. It was a skilful job to make charcoal. A shallow, circular pit was dug and wood was piled up in the shape of a dome. Once fired it had to be controlled night and day, sometimes canvas shields protected them from wind if it burnt too fiercely. Slow combustion was the order of the day. The whole process took several days. You can easily see, on a clear day, where sane of the pits used to be. Go along Plumbley Lane to Woolley's Farm, proceed along the footpath through the farmyard, over the stile and straight up the long field to the stile at the top of Gin Banks. From this vantage point look to your left, over to the far side of the Moss Valley, then to the right of the big wood, and you can easily see up to ten dark patches in the ploughed fields. The air at this vantage point is invigorating, the walk will do you good, you will get a splendid view for miles around you in all directions, see evidence of the old charcoal burners, and all this costs you nothing! My thanks to Reg Lane of Olive Road who pointed out this industrial history to me. David English
|
|
