Norden No 7 Mine Transhipment Building

Clay has been mined in Purbeck since the late 16th century.

Ball clay, a high quality white clay mined in Purbeck and Devon, was used in the production of tobacco pipes, which were manufactured in their millions. This clay then became an essential product for the Staffordshire Potteries, in particular for the fine porcelain produced by industrialist Josiah Wedgwood. And today it is used in the production of 50% of the world's production of sanitaryware!

Clay mining is carried out principally by means of open cast mining. Until 1999 there was also underground mining in Purbeck. Thus for instance, you will see in my 27 January photograph the "bite" taken out of the top of Creech Barrow - this subsidence was the result of ball-clay mining during the 20th century.

Norden No 7 Mine was closed down in 1999. Its buildings have been saved and are being reerected near its original site, as part of the the new Purbeck Mineral & Mining Museum - from an enlarged view of the photo you should just be able to see the sparks where welding is in progress. (Having had the experience of walking the length of the mine a few years before its closure, I am both amazed and delighted that this aspect of our local industrial heritage is being preserved.)

The museum site - which includes a narrow gauge railway - will be open again in the spring. Its is adjacent to Swanage Railway line's Norden Station, so steam engine enthusiasts will find themselves in paradise.