On Wednesday evening I returned to the Godstone Mine dig for some underground photography.   About six cavers turned up to do some digging, there are usually more than this but it was a lovely warm summers evening, so I wasn’t surprised that only a few turned up.     I had intended doing portraits of the cavers, but there weren’t any hairdressers there this time so I decided to look at landscapes instead – Only the Godstone cavers will understand the reference to the missing hairdresser    Special thanks to Ross who stood patiently by while I waved by torch around and pushed the shutter button for me when needed.

Firestone mine

Mining began here during the 17th century for stone that was used by the building trade.  It was often used in furnaces because it had great heat resistant properties and was therefore known as ‘Firestone’.   In 1939 – long after mining had ceased, the Home Office was considering using the mine as an evacuation camp for thousands of Londoners during the First World War.  It was believed that no bombs available at that time would be able to damage  the mine.  The mine was used during the Second World War to store precious works of art.

You’ll need to click on the images below to see them properly.