Cornwall mining attraction King Edward Mine Museum Troon reopening

King Edward Mine Museum in Troon plans to open to visitors on May 23, each day from Sunday to Wednesday, subject to any further government changes of plan.

The museum will open at 10am each day with the last tour starting at 3.30pm.

Volunteers have been preparing the museum for visitors over the past weeks and everything will be in place for us to have a successful season, including appropriate Covid protection.

Museum chairman David Ager: "This year we look forward to providing a great visitor experience for local people and holidaymakers alike.

"With a likely boost in tourist numbers this summer we are hopeful of having a bumper year and a great time for all."

The Croust Hut, based at the site, has undergone changes to improve the outdoor experience when visitors have a snack, lunch or a coffee when they are at the museum.

Despite the recurring lockdowns work has also been done to the museum, with machinery overhauled and some now operable for the first time.

The late Willie Uren, the man behind the original rebuilding of the Frue Vanner pictured with the machine which is now fully operable

A new space has been made to display materials from Holman’s Engineering, who were once a major company in Camborne with strong mining connections.

The survey office, which is almost unchanged since it was built in 1897, now has retro lighting and a range of surveying instruments and equipment on display.

The blacksmith’s forge has been restored to its original condition with a range of appropriate tools and equipment, and the museum hopes to see an occasional visit by a working blacksmith who will operate the forge.

Some internal and external redecoration has taken place to improve the appearance of the museum. The lecture room has been revamped to include modern facilities and is available for community use for meetings and other activities.

King Edward Mine volunteers tidying the site

Students from Cornwall College have provided support, particularly with a major tree planting programme across the 22-acre site.

The museum has also joined forces with Cornish Lithium, bringing old and the new Cornish mining together, by sharing resources to help plans to develop modern lithium production in the county.

Mr Ager added: "We have no paid staff and are completely reliant on volunteer labour, so we are fortunate in having a keen band of volunteers whose numbers have swollen in recent months.

"We are particularly pleased to welcome some younger volunteers who have reduced the average age of our workforce. More volunteers are always welcome so please get in touch if you would like to work with us in preserving an important part of Cornwall’s rich industrial heritage."

Email Mr Ager via david.ager@kingedwardmine.co.uk or call 07783947658, or 01209 216076