Worth all England else

It used to be said that "Caldbeck and the Caldbeck fells are worth all England else."  This had nothing to do with their scenic beauty, but referred to their mineral wealth.  The fells 'back o' Skidda' are riddled with old mine workings, where mining activity has gone on from the 16th to 20th centuries.  More than twenty different menerals were mined in the area.  This is a spoil heap at the old Sandbed mine on the north-east flank of High Pike.  In its time the mine has yielded lead, zinc, copper and barytes, and was one of the last mines to close in 1966.  That's over fifty years ago but the spoil heaps are still largely barren and devoid of any vegetation.  In places sink-holes have developed (see extra) where underground levels have collapsed, and are often water-filled.  The more dangerous of these are protected by fencing.