Monument record MDR14141 - White Knowle Quarry, Hayfield Road, Chinley

White Knowle Quarry, Chinley was included in a study into the potential to re-establish the roofing slate industry of the South Pennine region. It was not visited in the survey but it was noted by Farey in 1811 as White Knowle, Hayfield. It contains both flaggy and coarse sandstone in contrast to the felspathic coarse even pebbly sandstone more typical of the Kinderscout Grit in this area. There is another small quarry on the map on the opposite side of the main road, which was not visited but appeared to be flaggy. (1) Quarries are shown near White Knowl farm on the 1st edition 25" Ordnance Survey map of c. 1880, presumably the quarries mentioned by Hughes in his Grey Slate of the South Pennines survey. (2) By the 3rd edition 25" Ordnance Survey map of the early 20th century the larger quarry is marked as 'Old' and there is no evidence of the smaller quarry. (3) Modern aerial photographs show earthworks of both quarries are still extant. (4)