10b Interview with Fred Carpenter - September 1979

In the latter days of mining Mr Myatt “let things run down”.

11a Interview with Cecil Whaton - June 1979

A Mr Myatt, hillside, Axbridge, employed Vic and Percy Channon, Fred Curtis and William Tripp to mine ochre. These mines were situated approximately below the Plantation (ST 429 550), and also in Rose Wood. Here, a cable with buckets was used to carry the ochre down the hillside. It was then loaded onto a horse drawn wagon and transported along a drove to the old Axbridge Road and railway station. Rose Wood mines (ST 4243 5534) were probably the last of Myatt’s workings.

To the east of Rose Wood there was a platform (below Plantation) where ochre was tipped and the mines were centred about ST (These included Large Chamber, Triple H, Letter Box). While further east Axbridge Ochre Cavern (ST 4312 5510) had a double track laid down the hillside and the ochre was loaded into drams. After descending the hill the drams were emptied and then taken by wagon and horses to Axbridge railway station.

Cecil Whaton was not sure whether the Rift and Quarry (ST 4071 5550) were worked by Myatt or the Channon’s, but he knew iron had been found there. Other mined sites were Fig tree (ST 4387 5511), situated at the entrance to Ashcombe Quarry, but it was not known who mined there. This site may have been connected with the quarry where a Mr Amfield worked stone for decorative purposes.

11b Interview with Cecil Whaton - June 1979

After Myatt died the Channon’s were mining on the hill, for he believed a company, but the company was unknown.

12 Interview with Albert Shepstone - September 1979

Mr Myatt employed a Channon (he could not remember which one), but thought Vic did not do much mining. Charles Filer and William Tripp were also employed by Mr Myatt.

All of the hauling was by wagon and horses. Albert thought some iron was found (?). At the Rose Wood site (ST 4243 5534) buckets and a cable were used. The weight of one bucket pulled up the ochre. Albert did not haul from Rose Wood.

Mr Myatt did not retire he “just let things go.” Mrs Myatt died soon after her husband and Albert used to do some gardening for her. There were no sons or daughters that Albert knew of.

He did not know of any mines in Cheddar Wood and if there were he was of the opinion they were trial digs. Albert never did any hauling from here. No one took over the mining on Axbridge Hill after Mr Myatt died.

Albert told me that Mr Myatt did not work for a company – it was private enterprise. Also, that Fred Carpenter did not work on Axbridge Hill for another company when Albert did. But he may have done so afterwards, and that the Channon’s did work for Mr Myatt.

13a Interview with Len Tripp - June 1980

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