Mark Hatton, who has been actively exploring, researching and presenting on the mining heritage of The Lake District for many years, will give a richly illustrated talk about the Seathwaite Wad Mines on Thursday 13^th June, at St. Andrew’s Church, Stonethwaite, Borrowdale.

There is also an exhibition in the Church on the history of mining in Borrowdale – slate and copper as well as wad.

Borrowdale was home to one of the most famous, rarest and most highly profitable mines in the world. Dating back to at least the 15th century, the finest Wad (also known as Plumbago, Black Lead or Black Cawke - but today known as Graphite) was found here on a remote and inaccessible hillside at the southern end of Borrowdale. The result of an almost unique geological phenomenon, the market price of this wonder material soared over the 17th and 18th centuries. As a result the mine was subject to numerous attempts to steal the precious Wad, some very violent and some very ingenious.

Wad was valued for its many uses, one of which gave the British Navy more effective armaments than their adversaries, contributing to many famous victories. Later the Wad was used in manufacturing the world-famous Derwent Pencils in Keswick, providing many jobs and prosperity for the Town in the Victorian period. The owners of the Wad Mine became fabulously wealthy and this allowed them to build a large estate, complete with a grand stately home furnished with the finest art and furniture from around the world. The whole estate was left to The National Trust in the 1980’s.

The Borrowdale Wad Mine was famous as the richest, purest and most strategically important Graphite Mine in the world. The mine made a fortune for its owners and arguably helped Britain become the nation with the strongest military force in the 18th & 19th centuries. And in the 19th century it allowed the Pencil factories of Keswick to produce the finest products much prized internationally. But during the 20th century the mine and its fascinating history was largely forgotten. This talk aims to bring that history back to life.

The event is organised and promoted by the Borrowdale Story (www.borrowdalestory.co.uk). Entry is free but donations will be requested in turn for refreshments. The talk will begin at 6pm on Thursday 13^th June, at St. Andrew’s Church, Stonethwaite, Borrowdale.