The Crowan Mining District - Wheal Vrawz

OS Explorer Map 103: Grid reference SW646319

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Otherwise known as Wheal Vrose, this was an unsuccesful venture for tin, close to the village of Nancegollan between Camborne and Helston. A chimney still stands to the east of the village on the Releath Road. Its nearest neighbours were Wheal Prospidnick, Wheal Lamb and Trenoweth Mine

Thomas Spargo, the mining historian, writes a little about Wheal Vrawz in his book of 1865 entitled 'The Mines of Cornwall and Devon; Statistics and Observations'. He reports that Wheal Vrawz was, '... a little mine, almost forgotten, situated in Sithney, Cornwall, near an old rock, well known to antiquarians, called "Men-ambar," near the top of Prospidnick Hill. There was a small engine erected, but it worked only a short time; no effectual trial made. I think North Prospidnick Mine now includes this ground. Rock, granite. '

Now that 'World Heritage' status has been achieved Cornwall in Focus will monitor developments and learn how the mines of the Crowan District fare within the overall Mining framework.

For those of you with possibly a little more time to explore, once you've done 'the tourist bit', why not explore Cornwall's industrial heritage through its Tin and Copper Mines or learn more from my Cornish Bookstore