The newly restored headframe at South Crofty Mine in Pool has been unveiled following a topping out ceremony that has seen the lifting frame reinstated.
Cornwall Council has undertaken the refurbishment of the New Cooks Kitchen Headframe, and the two Grade II listed engine houses at Chapple’s Shaft, as part of the agreement with the mine owners Western United Mines to "enable new development and regeneration to go ahead in the area".
CORMAC Contracting and specialist contractors were appointed to erect 900 tonnes of scaffolding around the Headframe, using 20,000 scaffold fittings and 800 boards and 16 lifts. The refurbishment included grit blasting, repainting and replacement of some steelwork, before the scaffold was taken down to reveal this iconic mining structure.
Work continues to the two Chapple’s engine houses, with the Chapple's Winding Engine House nearing completion and Chapple’s Pumping Engine House scheduled for completion mid November 2013. Extensive re-pointing has been undertaken to both engine houses, and the masonry made safe using traditional conservation skills and materials. This work is being led by staff from CORMAC Contracting Ltd, Cornwall Council’s Economic Development and Historic Environment services, as well as Cornwall Development Company and is expected to be complete by end of November 2013.
Councillor Julian German, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for Economy and Culture, said; “The completion of the heritage restoration works to the Headframe marks the beginning of the regeneration proposals within the area. The Council has worked closely with various partners to deliver this project and we look forward to continuing work with them to ensure the potential economic benefits are realised.”
Councillor Edwina Hannaford, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for Environment, Heritage and Planning, said: “Restoration of the New Cook Kitchen Headframe has ensured this iconic mining structure will remain a prominent feature in the proposed regeneration of the area, preserving it for future generations and enhancing the land adjoining the World Heritage Site.”
Councillor Malcolm Moyle, Cornwall Council Local Member for Pool and Tehidy, said: “I am delighted that this work has been completed as it something we in the local community have wanted to see for many years. We are proud of our mining history – the headframe ensures we retain a link between the height of industrialisation and the economic development of the area today.”
Alan Shoesmith, Chief Executive at Western United Mines commented “The completion of the refurbishment of the NCK Shaft Headframe is a significant milestone of the ongoing restoration forming part of the CPR area’s regeneration programme. It demonstrates both the continued spirit and the significance of the Co-operation Framework Agreement entered between the Mine and Cornwall Council in 2009.”
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