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Interesting graffiti and other features

Carthorse Quarry (mine) lies in the upper green sandstone and was mined extensively for building stone known as firestone 1700 - 1912 C.

During the Victorian period the stone became fashionable to whiten hearths and doorsteps using the crushed stone or rubble called hearthstone mixed with water to form a paste. Women used to travel around London selling it for 6 pence a bag.

1900 - 1930 the mine was used to grow mushrooms, evidence of water pipes and wooden screens still exists and at this time the walls, floor and roof were whitewashed.

1939 - 1945 used for storage, wines, spirits, specimens from Natural History Museum (London) and other items we know nothing about, hence all the steel doors to separate storage areas and for security reasons. There is one area that was sealed off and then broken open in 1945 and the objects removed, what was there is still a mystery.

1n the 1950's and 1960's visited by cavers and mine enthusiasts.

Caterham Caving Club adopted Carthorse in this period and did a lot of research into the many mines around Godstone. They kept records of the temperature and humidity, sadly the Club has gone but Mike Bird may still be in Caterham? 1964 along came Croydon Caving Club who used the Mines on numerous occasions for training and surveying.

So on a recent visit to the quarry or mine, in January 1997, I noted the following"

1.

DUVALS 2ND RIGHT STONE HILLS 1ST RIGHT

In large red lettering on the wall.

Location near the entrance on the wall referring to the location of the wines and spirits.

In large red lettering on the wall referring to the location of the wine storage area.

Location near the entrance on the wall.

In large red lettering.

Showing various locations of storage area:

Location: on the wall near the entrance.

Formations

In one area near the airshaft a large amount of calcite flowstone straws and cave pears exist in good condition. Chalk is above the upper green sandstone, hence the calcite.

There are many more features to record, the little cut outs in the walls where miners stored their lunch and candles, the various pit props, steel doors and electrical wiring system etc..

The quarry or mine is certainly well worth a visit, it is good for photography especially in black and white which records atmosphere. Those lovely long rows of walls and passages, especially the neat rows of deads (walls of waste material).

When the mine was eventually locked in the 70's we used to visit Mr James Gardner (Senior) in Caterham to collect the key and had a wonderful time over tea, listening to his stories of the times of the miners told to him by the then retired miners in Caterham. We have a lot to thank him for as he managed to hold the keys to Carthorse and Godstone and allowed us to have access.

Access was withdrawn in the 80's and allowed again in the 90's - lets keep it that way. Thanks to I W Fry the owner.

Ron Smith

For further reading

"Cave & Quarry" Annual Research and Activity Report of the Wealden Cave and Mine Society for 1991, Issue 1.
Carthorse Quarry Godstone Survey and Site Investigation by Peter Burgess.

Thanks must also go to Harry Pearman and members of Chelsea Speleological Group whose publications of secret tunnels in Surrey, Kent etc. Started the interest in the local mines and caving.

The following Clubs and Groups were involved:

Names that come to light Dennis Musto, John Folding of Merstham Mines fame, The Quarry Dean Farm Group (before the motorway) I often met Bob Campbell who surveyed Quarry Dean Mine.

There are a lot more people we owe our thanks to, I expect they will be pleased that the work and enjoyment continues.