adminSeventy years after she last worked at Treak Cliff Cavern in the Peak District, 86-year-old Rosamund Pratt took a nostalgic trip back in time to help celebrate two special anniversaries at the famous Castleton tourist attraction.
Rosamund, nee Beverley, who has lived in Bristol since 1947, joined around 100 other guests – including Peak District caver Dave Nixon – for cake and champagne to mark the Derbyshire’s cavern’s 300th anniversary as a Blue John mine and 75th anniversary as a show cave on Thursday April 1.
Castleton-born Rosamund, who returns to the village every year to join in its traditional Garland Ceremony celebrations, joined Treak Cliff Cavern as a 15-year-old school leaver in 1938 to run the shop, and left two years later to do war work as a wages clerk at the Hope cement works.
She and Peter Harrison (83) – whose family took over the cavern’s lease in 1945 – cut the 300th birthday cake, while Dave Nixon – famous for discovering Titan, the UK’s deepest-known cave, also in Castleton – cut a second one to mark the show cave’s 75th birthday.
“I worked for John Royse, the geologist, who had the lease for the show cave in the 1930s,” recalled Rosamund, who returns to Castleton every year to visit her sister, Noreen Robinson, and to attend the village ancient Garland Ceremony each May.
“There were just three of us then – myself, John and Billy Bradbury, who worked as a guide. John Royse was a very learned and interesting man, and told me all about the rocks and minerals of the area, so it was quite an education for me.
“When I started here, I earned ten shillings (50p) a week, and we didn’t get any time off. We’d stay open as long as the cavern was busy, and rarely closed before 6pm. During my second season, I got a rise of a shilling (5p) and half a day off each week.
“I looked after the shop, and on the odd occasion when I went into the cavern, I found it very eerie! I was very sad when Mr. Royse died in 1945. He always used to tell me he wanted his ashes scattered on this hillside, but he was buried in the parish churchyard in Castleton.
“I still love coming back each year for the Garland Ceremony. It brings back so many memories, especially of people who are no longer with us. There’s a lovely atmosphere, and it brings the people of the village together to enjoy the celebrations.
“And it’s been wonderful to be here today to share such a special occasion with so many people. I’ve lived away for a long time, but my roots are still here.”
Added Peter, whose family has run Treak Cliff Cavern since 1945: “I’d like to sincerely thank everyone who has worked here over the years, for their hard work, support, and above all, their friendship. I think the secret of Treak Cliff’s success is that there never has been an ‘us’ and ‘them’ mentality – everyone has always worked together as a team.”
Throughout 2010, a series of family-oriented and heritage inspired events – including guided Blue John Mining Tours giving an insight into past and present mining techniques – will offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy the festivities.
“It’s a very special year for us, and we want everyone to join in the fun,” explained current owner, Peter’s daughter Vicky Turner. “Four generations of my family have worked here since the end of the Second World War, including my grandparents Harold and Edith, my dad, me and my children John and Lizzie, so over the years it’s played a huge part in all our lives.
“We believe Blue John mining started here in about 1709, give or take a year or two, and Treak Cliff opened as a show cave in 1935, so we decided to celebrate both milestones with a series of special events for people of all ages to enjoy.”
Treak Cliff Truffle Hunts – featuring special sweet treats handcrafted by Castleton chocolatiers David Golubows and Bridget Joyce of Cocoadance – will be held on Saturdays May 15 and September 25, while Blue John Mining Tours will take place on Sundays May 16 and September 26.
Families can join in a series of Polish Your Own Blue John Stone sessions or celebrate their own special birthdays underground throughout the year, and there will be Carols by Candlelight on the three pre-Christmas weekends in December. Old photographs of Treak Cliff, dating from around 1900 to the present day, will be on display at the cavern throughout the year.
Castleton is the only place in the world where the unique Blue John stone is found, among the rocks of Treak Cliff Hill and in only two caverns – Treak Cliff Cavern – which features ‘The Pillar’, the largest piece ever discovered, and Blue John Cavern. As a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for many years, Treak Cliff Cavern is world famous and geologically important. By agreement with Natural England, all Blue John stone deposits on the visitor route are preserved. Around half a tonne is extracted each year from areas not seen by visitors and made into jewellery, small bowls, ornaments and other decorative items.
