Florence Mine
Florence was an Iron ore mine, one of many iron ore shafts in the area and the last deep working mine in Europe. When British Steel Corporation closed Florence in 1980, a group of miners decided to keep them going under the name of the Egremont Mining Company.
Known as haematite, the red ore within the limestone layers, was common. First mined here in the 1830s the dust covered buildings and the people who worked there, giving rise the phrase ‘the red men'
The ore was used in steel making, for producing pig iron. The small amount of ore still produced is annealing ore, used to extract carbon from castings and in pigment extraction for paint and cosmetics.
In 2011, Creative Egremont will transform the visitor centre in the former shower block, into a new centre for Creative Industries. With a gallery space, artists in residence, community cinema and studio theatre and training facilities for the digital arts, an exciting programme of workshops and activities alongside performing and visual arts will transform the cultural landscape of West Cumbria. Follow developments on Facebook or contact Karen on info@florencemine.org for more details.
And look out for www.florencemine.org going live soon.
