Monument record MDR8374 - Winster Sough and Placket Lead Mine (south-east), Water Lane, Winster

Winster Sough, also known as 'Portway Yate Sough' and 'Lousey Level Brancher' and probably 'Mr Norman's Sough' and 'Orchard Day Level Bolt open'. The agreement to make the sough was in June 1687, to unwater Portaway Grove, Grissill Grove, Lickpenny Grove. Initially in shale, it follows scrims, veins and pipes sinuously to Will Founder Vein. The first ore was brought out in February 1694. By 1714, as a coffin level to Portaway Pipe, it was supposed to have terminated on Whitelow Rake 900ft on the Newhaven Road. (1,2). This area also includes the south-eastern section of Placket Mine, a deep engine shaft which gives access to very extensive pipe and vein workings of great potential interest. Little detail of the character is yet recorded, but a long underground buddle has been noted. (3) As with neighbouring Elton, the village is surrounded by former lead-mining sites but with little significant impact in terms of structures despite the former existences of well known mines in the local vicinity. Capped shafts are typical of many sites. The area around Oddo to the west of the parish church is dotted with old workings and there are many to both the east and west of Uppertown Lane between Winster and Birchover. (4)