Show on mapThe site was leased by the Leeds Corporation from 1868 to provide street setts, it stretches for about half a mile. In 1883 the lease moved to William Winn
Gribdale Mining Company took over in 1913 and working stopped in 1918
A Geotrail more fully describing the location can be found here
I came to live in Ayton in 1970 . The Quarry was in use then . There was some kind of riddle near the quarry entrance . The entrance was very narrow and was being widened at that time . They were still looking for dolerite outcrops then.
The quarry operarions stopped in 1918
I worked there in 1960 Roy Bradley was still operating it then ,the crusher was just over the main road down from thief Lane,I also worked there in 1976 when road material LTD opened it up once more up thief lane, they had a new crushing plant built straght ahead in the old quarry workings ,then later on Ogdens of Otley had a mobile crushing plant further in and a bit higher up .A lot of the 2nd grade stone from the old workings were used to make Ingleby cross bye pass to the Tontine
Hi John,
I’ve just read My life in the Whinstone Workings – your account of what it was like working for the Bradley Brothers back in the early 60s. I found it really interesting.
I have a family connection to both ironstone and whinstone – indeed you give a passing mention to my grandfather – Billy May – in your account.
Just to let you know I plan to do a presentation on the whinstone industry near Great Ayton for a U3A local history group in the near future.
Anyway, while I have a general understanding of the industry, I’m keen to know more about how the workforce was organised in the quarries and mines – in terms of grades, skills, abilities, etc. Was there a formal recognition of skilled and unskilled work for instance – or was ‘skill’ all based on an informal recognition of experience and length of service.
Given the rather precarious nature of the work which led to injuries (and fatalities), I’d also be interested to know whether the health and safety concerns of those working in the quarries and mines led to any improvement in their conditions of work.
The ironstone miners had a trade union but I’m unsure whether those working in the whinstone industry were unionised. Would you happen to know of any attempt by whinstone quarrymen and miners to band together to form a trade union – in order to improve their terms and conditions of work?
If possible, I’d like to meet and talk to you in person about the Great Ayton whinstone industry.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Martin
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Hi Both,
Where could I find a copy of “My life in the Whinstone Workings”? It sounds really interesting.