Wendron Mining District - West Wheal Lovell

OS Explorer Map 103: Grid reference SW681280

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One of the great number of Wendron mines with 'Lovell' in their title, many records are confused and contradictory. Here follows a brief account pieced together from the most respected sources. A very old lead and tin mine situated in Wendron parish just to the east of Helston on the land marked as Pollard Farm, roughly midway between Trewennack and Mellangoose. The concern has been known by various names of its lifetime including East Trevenen and West Lovell. Information on the mine is hard to trace but it is known that between 1860 and 1877 the mine raised 11.6 tons of black tin, despite being suspended in 1862. Records of any ancient lead production have not come to light as yet.

Thomas Spargo writes in his 'The Mines of Cornwall and Devon; Statistics and Observations' (1865) that West Wheal Lovell was '... in the parish of Wendron, in the lands of the Duke of Cornwall, who has granted at 1-15th dues; and the Hon. A. M. Agar, Rev. — Hodson, St. Aubyn, and Usticke, who have granted at 1-18th dues, to the present company, which has been recently constituted by Mr. James Clarke, of Helston.

From the best information that can be had, it appears that the former working dates back about 200 years. An old plan or sketch—supposed to be 120 years old—of a very rude character, has just been lent me, from which I copy the following (so-called) " Prospectus of a Lead Mine, in Pollard, in the parish of Wendron, which worked about four-score years ago. It is evident that the adventurers found some of that ore within the limits of the said mine, for a quantity thereof was found by Tristram Bath; it appears that this mine might be tried again at a small expense; and from its being a kindly soil it might be worked to a 'verry' great advantage."

A 30-inch new engine has been erected on the old engine shaft. It was last worked by a water-wheel. Number of lodes in the sett is about 10. Depth of the mine, 20 fathoms, and men employed (in 1861) 10. Agent, Captain H. Harris'. Elsewhere he also states that the mine has been '... idle 3 years, The late Mr. James Clarke of Helston (who was accidentally killed with his horse throwing him off on the road) was Purser'.

For more information on production dates and so on please see Roger Burt's excellent book Cornish Mines: Metalliferous and Associated Minerals, 1845-1913 (Mineral Statistics of the United Kingdom, 1845-1913) or what is widely regarded as the mining enthusiasts bible by H G Dines - The Metalliferous Mining Region of South-West England: Vols I & II (Economic Memoirs).

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