Peak District Online Issue 6 by Peak District Online

PEAK DISTRICT ONLINE MAGAZINE Magpie Mine

Magpie Mine

Magpies are intriguing creatures with lots of superstition surrounding them - some of it good, some of it bad. It all depends on the number of magpies you see at one time so it’s said, but in a lot of cultures the bird is considered an ill omen. What is spooky, is that a reputedly haunted mine in this gorgeous part of the world is named after this bird, Magpie Mine in Sheldon, a mine shaft which is also reputed to be cursed. When Steve Wake, the landscape photographer and director at Peak District Online visited recently to take some photographs for the website, he didn’t feel anything untoward, apart from peace and quiet and the promise of spring with the warm breeze on his face, but perhaps the unsettling feeling some visitors to the mine report is because they know the truth behind the story. ‘Magpie mine in Sheldon, is reputed to be haunted by three men who died in sulphurous fires, fires which were deliberately set underground by opposing miners, ‘ says Steve.’ It has a history of murder, suffocation and fighting miners in its past, but if you visit there today, it is a really peaceful and beautiful spot, hard to believe it was the scene of such bitter disputes long ago.’ The new page added to their very popular Peak District Guide section is yet another spooky tale, one of many legends and myths attached to this area of the UK. As always, it contains very interesting, if not creepy information, accompanied by some stunning photographs taken by Steve. Particularly evocative are the black-and-white photographs which instantly transport the viewer back in time, imagining what it must be like is life as a feuding miner all those years ago. ‘Arguments raged for several years both underground and in the court room,’ explains Steve. ‘Each group of opposing miners would light fires underground to smoke out their opponents but unfortunately three miners were suffocated by the fumes in 1833 and 24 Magpie Miners were put on trial for the murder. Several were immediately freed and eventually all of them were acquitted because of the difficulty in identifying who the culprit may be.’ The tragic and spooky tale doesn’t end there because allegedly, the wife of the murdered men put a curse on mine and it closed soon afterwards.

Telephone: 01246 566142 Email: sleep@peakedgehotel.co.uk www.peakedgehotel.co.uk

Alison House Hotel Intake Lane, Cromford DE4 3RH T: 01629 822211

http://www.alison-house-hotel.co.uk info@alison-house-hotel.co.uk

Chatsworth Break Offer Peak Edge Hotel Offer includes: Accommodation in Superior Double or Twin room Breakfast Two Tickets to Chatsworth House £40.00 towards Red Lion Bar & Bistromeal (£20pp) Offer available Sunday – Friday 28th March 2015 –1st November 2015 £175.00 (inclusive of VAT) Upgrade to a Feature Room: £190.00 Upgrade to a Luxury Suite: £220.00

PHOTOS TAKEN BY VILLAGER JIM AND WAKES WORLD ALL OUR PHOTOS CAN BE PURCHASED EMAIL info@peakdistrictonline.co.uk

VIEW OUR DAILY PHOTOS ON FACEBOOK