Weetslade Colliery Earthcache EarthCache
Weetslade Colliery Earthcache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(not chosen)
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A short walk on (mainly) tarmac paths to the summit of a local
landmark; suitable for bikes, pushchairs and wheelchairs. The 360
degree views from the published co-ordinates and the wildlife make
this an interesting site for an earthcache.
The former colliery at Weetslade has undergone an extensive
programme of work to transform the redundant pit heap into a 20
hectares wildlife area and community green space with a new network
of access routes.
The following text is an extract from The Land Restoration Trust
website.
History
Weetslade Colliery opened in 1903 as a working colliery and closed
in 1966, although part of the site remained in use as a washery
until 1980. During 1947 an estimated 160,000 tons of coal was dug
from this colliery and was used for household, manufacturing, and
steam production.
Since the site was abandoned it was left to the process of natural
re-colonisation. In the mid 1990’s Weetslade was designated a Site
of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) due to the establishment of
a complex and diverse mosaic of vegetation types. The most
extensive piece of work undertaken was the re-profiling of the
spoil heap; making the steep slopes shallower allowing for an
easier climb to the hill top. Some natural vegetation was left
untouched on the south side of the hill and within the saltmarsh
area. The rest of the site was ploughed and re-seeded with a
mixture of grassland species. Additional hedges, native trees, and
scrub were planted in blocks around the site. Three reed beds were
created to increase the variation of habitats on the site.
Profile
The former pit heap has long been seen as an important landmark in
the local area. It lies on a strategic wildlife corridor running
from Gosforth Park to the district boundary. The Seaton Burn runs
close by the site and there is hope of attracting otters and great
crested newts to the park in the future. The site is linked to many
of the local communities such as Wideopen and Seaton Burn through
part of the old Wagonway network.
The site has developed since the colliery’s closure in 1967 with
regards to recreation and biodiversity. Currently horseriders and
walkers use the site with the Wagonway running along the south side
of the site. The site is already important for birds such as the
skylark, grey partridge, reed bunting, bullfinch and lapwing as
well as the small skipper butterfly, badgers and deer. The
conservation interest of the site is envisaged to grow as the site
develops and becomes attractive to more wildlife.
To Claim This Cache:
In order to claim this cache you need to:
1. Upload a photograph of your GPS and/or you at the artwork that
you can find at the published co-ordinates with your log. Sorry,
but photographs of just the artwork will not be acceptable as they
are available on the intranet.
2. Email the answer to the following question through our
geocaching.com profile – what is your estimate for the number of
tons of waste material that form this pit heap?
Please note that if your log to claim this cache does not contain
an appropriate photograph then you log will be deleted without any
contact from me. Unfortunately this is necessary because although a
cacher has said “picture to follow” for one of my previous
earthcaches – they are still to upload a photo in order to prove
their visit despite emails to remind them.
Please do not put your estimate in the log entry on the webpage.
Any logs that contain the answers will be deleted so that following
geocachers can complete the task unaided. Remember to look at
www.earthcache.org where you can see if you
will qualify for either a bronze, silver, or gold pin badge
depending on how many earthcaches you have visited and/or
developed.
Acknowledgements
This cache has been created with the agreement of The Land
Restoration Trust and The Northumberland Wildlife Trust who are the
managing partner for this country park.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)