Kelly Mine

What a full packed interesting day.  I was out with the U3A geology group and after a visit to Dawlish Warren we headed to Kelly Mine.  The mine was operational from 1797 until 1951 mining micaceous hematite.  When it stopped operating the mine was abandoned along with its equipment.  In 1982 a small group of individuals decided to try and preserve the mine and its historic heritage.  This has been successful and equipment from various other Dartmoor companies has enabled them to recreate the mine based on historical evidence.  These rail tracks, which form interesting shapes, were donated by a local clay manufacturer.  The extras included the opening to one of the mine shafts, the mess room with its 'interesting' signs and the local overgrown area.  Bluebells were in good shape there today.