The Combe Down Stone Mines Project was a major project by Bath & North East Somerset Council to stabilise abandoned limestone mine workings in Combe Down and preserve the Health & Safety of the area. The aim of the Project was to remove the current threat to life and property of those living, working in and travelling through the Combe Down area.

In doing this, the Project ensured that the internationally recognised heritage, wildlife and environmental properties of the area are conserved for future generations.

Useful Information:

Completion Statements

When all the stabilisation works required beneath a property were completed and verified, the owner received a ‘Statement of Completion’. This certifies that the mines beneath their property have been stabilised. This document is most significant and should be retained in a safe place.

If you need a copy of the Completion Statement please contact the Team on the details below.

Archaeological Finds Update

During the stabilisation of the stone mines Oxford Archaeology removed several objects from the mines, as part of their work to record their history.  These objects legally belong to the owner of the property beneath which they were found, and the Project Team wrote to those concerned in October asking them to indicate whether they wished to collect, donate or dispose of their items.

Open days were held in November and December where people could view and collect their items.  Although there was a good turnout, there are still items to be collected, so there will be two additional open days on 9^th and 11^th March at the Council’s store on Pixash Lane in Keynsham, just next to the B&NES recycling centre.  Letters will be sent to properties concerned, including details of their artefacts.  If you have any queries please call Jessica Turner on 01225 477633.

Factsheets

You can download the following Factsheet on the right hand side of the screen:

• A letter was sent to residents in December 2010 which included details of a circular issued to ABI members, which recommended normal underwriting conditions are applied to properties in Combe Down

Good Practice Guide

On 6th December 2011 The Stabilisation of Combe Down Stone Mines: Good Practice Guide was launched in the House of Commons.

Paul Morrell – Government Chief Construction Advisor – attended the launch and spoke to endorse the publication which has been jointly produced by Bath & North East Somerset Council and the Homes and Communities Agency.

A web-friendly version of the book is available via this link.  Download Best Practice Guide.  If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the book please contact the Project Team on 01225 477582.

A commemorative book for the project is also available.  The book will be available for members of the public to buy for £10 and will include a DVD of project films.  The book can be obtained at Combe Down Heritage Society meetings - please see the village noticeboard for details - or from Rosemary Simmons who can be contacted on 01225 833301 or rosyprint@care4free.net

A book of poems from Combe Down, Time in the Shape of a Mine, has been published.  This features Andy Croft’s poems as well as those written by miners, school children and villagers.  A book of the historical pageant written by Andy Croft and performed at the Celebration Event has also been published.  Both books are available to buy from the Combe Down Heritage Society at special prices for Combe Down residents - the poetry book is priced at £3 and the pageant book at £1.50.  The books can be obtained from the Combe Down Heritage Society, as above.

Vik Martin was commissioned to photograph the Celebration Event in September.  Photographs are available to view and buy from her website.

Contact Information