Treacle Mines?

Question

Can anyone tell me anything about the legendary "treacle" mines of Devonshire, England?

Answer 1

Yep. They have mostly closed down now as treacle is cheaper to produce as a by-product from refining sugar.

I think there are still a few going that make a lot of their income from the heritage angle - they charge you to go and see them.

One of the most interesting things is that the deeper the mine is, the less viscous the treacle is when in its natural state - that is because it is closer to the centre of the earth, which as we all know is made of incredibly hot, fiery magma. However, it still has to be mined rather than pumped (as one might expect) because by the time it gets to the tinning plant at the surface it is in its thick, viscous state we all know and love.

Finally, the fate of the now long abandoned Cornish Tin mines was inextricably linked to that of the Devon treacle mines. When the latter went out of business there was no real competitive advantage for tin produced in the South West.

Answer 2

The treacle mines are in Knotty Ash near Liverpool and the miners who have to go very deep are called Diddymen, so called because they are very short. Diddymen are specially bred because the tunnels are very low in height. England owes a great deal to the Diddymen who put a fantastic effort into producing Diddybombs full of treacle during world war 2, Most of the treacle bombs landed in the middle east because that was the limit that the Diddymen could throw, the treacle soaked through the sand to become the oil now found in much of the region.

Answer 3

not just devon they occur all over the place there are 2 stories doing the rounds.
1 when someone dies people say "hes' gone down the treacle mine"
2 some local industy use to pour waste down drains which was sticky and looked like treacle. the locals would then joke about treacle mines.

Answer 4

Read a book about treacle mines and the legendery
jam butty mines, by LesDawson that will enlighten you

Answer 5

I don't know anything about treacle but in Bideford, North Devon there were several paint mines. The paint - Bideford Black - was actually a form of anthracite used for painting boats.

Answer 6

Hmmmmm sticky Question .....

http://www.treacleminer.com/Mines/Tamerton.html

http://www.pjonline.com/Editorial/20050312/comment/onlooker.html

JUST A WARNING I HAVE NOT READ THE CONTENT OF THESE SITES SO BE WARNED .... 'TREACLE MINE' COULD BE A EUPHEMISM !!!

Answer 7

yeah they were dug by the treacle people

Answer 8

there not in Devon there in knotty ash and the diddy men work there i know i work in the jam butty factory

Answer 9

somebody read to much Terry Pratchett

Answer 10

Maybe...if you're extra sweet to me...