Comment left by John Thornton on 2011-04-08 15:29:09

I had high expectations for the Wheal Owles talk, I was not disappointed. The talk transcended a recounting of a mining tragedy and gave a powerful insight into life during the late 1800's. The presentation impressed in its content from surveying difficulties; the impact on workers, families and owners; the daily risks of working in such harsh conditions and much more. All of this wrapped in an exciting presentation unfolding the events and implications in a cracking mystery style. Whilst my 12 year old was a bit lost on the methods of underground surveying (and I too, if truth be known!), it did not spoil the enjoyment, in fact it added to the pleasure of the evening. With tea and biscuits and access to the exhibition after, it was an excellent evening. With other interesting and diverse events planned, it looks like Geevor is creating some fascinating ways of telling the wider mining story. Sign up on line for the events newsletter is my recommendation.

Comment left by G Pengilley on 2011-09-05 00:32:00

Totally brilliant, the best attraction in Cornwall. I went with my 10 year son and we only had three hours to spend before it closed, we literally jogged around the place and still did not see it all, it’s a huge site and fantastic value for money, it was the last working tin mine in Britain. The out buildings were wonderful, you could feel and see what it was like to mine tin, the “wet room” where the miners showered and dried off after a shift brought tears to the eyes, a huge building with hundreds of lockers still full of the items a miner brought to work, like old fashioned cigarettes, tin cans, lights ,and clothes, with hundreds of large black and white photos of the miners who worked there, some dead now, some old, but captured in time their ruggedness, determination and sorrow at the closing of the mine. The building where the tin ore was processed was again huge and very impressive, children can pan for ore and the trip down a two hundred year old tin mine was wonderful my son thought it was magical. There’s multimedia centre, a museum, a model of the 100’s of miles of tunnels underground and about 30 different outbuildings to visit, like the huge generator buildings and mine rescue building. The knowledge of the former miners who take you underground is exceptional and brought home to you how hard tin mining was, chasing a a few centimetre wide curtain of tin ore 20 odd miles underground, where you had to pay for everything you used, even until it was closed emphasised how easy life is compared to the miners of the past. Apparently the life expectancy of a tin miner in the eighteenth century was only about 25 years! Arsenic poisoning, lung disease from the asbestos like fibres mixed into the tin ore, pneumonia from the wet working conditions and walking miles home in wet clothes after a shift and a very poor diet just killed them all off at an incredibly young age. So in conclusion this attraction was in my opinion much better than the Eden Project, which was itself very good. It’s very reasonably priced, it’s huge you can spend a day or a couple of hours there and with gift aid you can return for free.

Comment left by John Thornton on 2011-09-07 18:18:48

Another great evening at Geevor. This time about bats - interesting talk, pictures, sounds and sensors to locate them. All in the atmospheric surroundings of Geevor buildings. Should be more at these evenings - very good.

Comment left by Richard Dobson on 2012-08-11 11:04:14

I first visited the mine in the early 90's not long after it had ceased production. All the machinery and equipment were still in place, it was a sad sight to see it all dormant, but worth the visit. I then went back a couple of years later and the scrap metal men had been in and ripped the mine workshops and equipment apart. Our tour was given by Johnny Johnson, an ex miner from Geevor. He had great sadness in his voice as he was trying to explain what was where and could only show us empty spaces where the machinery had been, At this time the underground tour was not operating and it looked like the mine might close it's doors for good. Fortunately it didn't and we have been back each year whilst we have been on holiday in Cornwall. It has flourished and grown with a passion that is without equal, long may they continue as we will be visiting for many years to come. Visitors will need the best part of a day here as there is so much to see and do.

Comment left by Arlene1994 on 2012-09-05 18:23:47

Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon www.geevor.com and wanted to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your phorum posts. After all I'll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!

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