This page gives you a very short and brief description about the Plymouth Mineral & Mining Club
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| History | The aims | Field Trips | Other Events | The PMMC Journal |
| Membership | Annual subscription | How to join | Contacts |
On the 27th January 1970, 150 people responded to an invitation by the Club’s two founders, Owen Baker and David Curry, to meet at Plymouth Central Library’s Scott Lecture Theatre.
This followed an increasing number of enquiries that were being dealt with by the Local History and Natural History departments of the library and museum for mining information and mineral identification.
With the Plymouth Caving Group already pursuing underground activities, the fledgling club was to deal specifically with the surface activities of mineral collecting and mining-related industrial archaeology.
Thus, the Plymouth Mineral and Mining Club was born.
The Plymouth Mineral and Mining Club exists to provide a meeting point for
interested individuals and a forum for discussion. Since 1970 many more members
have brought their particular interests and knowledge to the Club.
Activities include:
The range of experience of members varies from those who join knowing nothing
of minerals or mining and wish to learn, to others who have a professional
background in either or both areas.
Rest assured, though, that the “experts” are not out to baffle anyone with
science!
Almost everyone who has lived in the South West has a mining-related story to
tell, whether it’s of an ancestor who was a miner or of the trouble they’ve had
getting house insurance because of nearby mining.
What’s your story?
Club trips are usually to disused mines and quarries. One or two appointed
leaders describe the history of the site and explain what remains to be seen.
Field trips are arranged on various dates throughout the spring, summer and
autumn.
Often there are pieces of the puzzle that don’t fit and even the experts don’t
know everything!
Suggestions might be invited regarding the purpose or function of a wall or pair
of holes in a stone!
Most trips offer opportunities for mineral collecting, and it is very rarely
that any specimen found goes unidentified.
Minerals that may commonly be collected in the South West include quartz and
calcite as well as the ores of iron, copper, tin, zinc and arsenic. Rarer
species may include gold, silver, cobalt, nickel or tungsten.
Working sites are sometimes visited. These have previously included china clay
pits, granite quarries and tin mines.
Opportunities to visit these are more likely to be granted to organised clubs
such as the PMMC than to private individuals.
Full details are given in the Journal which is sent regularly to all members.
Evening meetings are held indoors in the winter months. These
may include formal talks, either by members, other amateurs or professional
guest speakers.
The barbecue is one of three summer evening social events known as “Evening
Rendez-vous”, the other two being strolls rather than walks around places of
mining interest in the West Dartmoor or East Cornwall environs.
There is also an Annual Dinner and a Members' Evening.
Everyone is invited to bring along anything of interest relating to mining.
Collections of picks, lamps, maps, photographs, gems, minerals and books have
all previously been exhibited.
Indoor events are currently held at tthe
Westward Inn,
Lee Mill.
Full details are given in the Journal.
The PMMC Journal is published three times a year in February, June and
October. It contains articles about specific mines, minerals or processes,
suggested walks, reports of past events, details of forthcoming events and
reviews of newsworthy items in papers and journals.
Members’ original articles are encouraged, as also are reprinted items from
other sources.
Items for inclusion in the Journal are always in demand, whatever their length
or complexity – even short items are requested as “fillers”. Don't be afraid to
put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard!) and send your article to our Editor!
Here is the ‘small print’:
The Plymouth Mineral and Mining Club is affiliated to the Geologists’
Association, through which it holds insurance in respect of third party claims
whilst undertaking official excursions.
Official excursions are those where the leader or leaders have been appointed by
the Committee prior to the event, and are the only excursions to which the name
of the Club may be attached.
The Plymouth Mineral and Mining Club does not undertake underground exploration
and any person who goes below ground for that purpose during an official
excursion does so entirely at his or her own risk and is deemed to have left the
excursion. However, guided visits to show mines or working premises with the
owner’s permission are considered valid activities.
A Club event is any activity or meeting officially called by the Committee
whether indoors or out.
Subscriptions are due on 1st April each year.
Payable by cheque, cash or direct debit to the Treasurer.
To join the Plymouth Mineral and Mining Club
Download an
application form, complete it and send it with your payment to the treasurer.|
Mr Deric Munro (Hon Treasurer) Tel.: 01392 811411 |
And the ‘small print’ when you join the Club:
I apply to join the Plymouth Mineral and Mining Club; I understand and agree to
abide by the Club rules.