Smallclough

Introduction

Smallclough is one of those places that takes me back to my teen years.  I lived in this place for days on end - we'd hack away at the sphalerite in Hydraulic Shaft, lifting bags of the stuff over the shaft and teetering over the hole on a couple of old iron rails. It was the days of Guy Heelis, Grant Waller, and Geoff Smith - we all went home with bags of rock.  Just about every Nenthead sphalerite specimen came via us, often to Dick Barstow in a trade for a nice West Cumbrian bit.

The flats were full of galena - we'd just sit there, bashing away, and filling bags with amazing bits.  So different these days - every bit is hard won - but they are still in there.  We found some absolutely top pieces recently that are better than anything I've found before.  You just have to look harder - go places where others have not looked, stay off the beaten track...