On a beautiful Autumn morning a group of a dozen industrial archaeology enthusiasts set off along the old railway track in Simonstone to the site of Constant Mary, an 18th century waterwheel.  Along the way group leader, Richard Matthews, outlined various points of interest including old water management systems and a series of mysterious raised platforms in the woods. 

Leaving the old railway track we crossed a very wet field to reach the site of the waterwheel adjacent to the former Dunkirk Colliery.  Here Richard explained with the aid of diagrams how Constant Mary was put to use hauling coal wagons on a long rope out of the mine.  Health and Safety wasn’t much of a consideration back in the 18th century and I’m sure a few unfortunate souls lost a finger or two as they unhooked the wagons from the constantly moving rope.   

Richard also showed us the site of the weir on the nearby River Calder which, with a system of sluices, provided a continuous supply of water to Constant Mary. Further downstream Richard pointed out the site of the Engine House which housed a steam engine for pumping water out of the mine.  A full description of the site can be found under INSIGHTS on the SPAG website. 

After the walk several of us drove to Whalley where we continued our discussion of this fascinating site over a delicious lunch in a cafe in the grounds of Whalley Abbey.