Cornish Pirates

Players from the Pirates had a glimpse of Cornwall’s heritage when they visited the Geevor Tin Mine Museum & Heritage Centre on Monday.

The visit coincides with news that South Crofty, the last working tin mine in the county, could be back in business in just four years

Joining them was John Gendall, a former miner at Geevor for 19 years, who has also been a stalwart “Pirate” and Life Member of the club.

John Gendall gives an insider's view of life at Geevor Foreground L-R: Duncan Roke, Tom Bradley Rear L-R: Mark Hewitt, John Gendall

Mining operations in the Geevor area go back at least to the early 1700s, but the mine itself closed in 1990 following the international tin price crash of 1985.

Geevor is nowadays the largest preserved mining site in the United Kingdom, visitors able to visit the museum, surface buildings, and go on an underground tour of 18th. and 19th. century workings.

The Museum & Heritage Centre opened in 1993, and since 2001 has been managed by a local community based charity, Pendeen Community Heritage

Above Ground	Inside the Mill where the ore is seperated
Entering Wheal Mexico	Jomy Hylton Tries His Hand At Panning

Links:

Geevor Tin Mine