Patcham Treacle Mine by Geoff 20 November 2004I heard my father mention a “treacle mine” at Patcham many years ago. Does anyone know to what this refers?7 replies Re: Patcham Treacle Mine by Alan Hobden 21 November 2004I always prefer to take my treacle with a pinch of salt, but in years gone by they chose to use it straight from the mine.Patcham already had a well established treacle mine dating back to the 19th century when in 1871 Peter Jones a scientist, who had long suspected the existence of treacle rock, sank his first shaft. He did not hit rock but a gusher- which spouted for three days, covering the countryside for several miles around with a fine rain of treacle. After three days Peter Jones brought the gusher under control. From that day onwards, the treacle mine provided employment for many Patcham families. They jealously guarded the privilege of free treacle, (tins not provided) which were handed down from father to son in the families of the original twenty employees. Like many treacle mines the Patcham mine closed down when sugar cane and sugar beet was more easily accessible than treacle. But when there was talk of war and a shortage of sugar, the people of Patcham reopened their mine. They put up road signs pointing to the Patcham Treacle Mine and business was swift. But, the signs were quickly removed when it was thought the enemy might send its agents to Patcham to destroy its mine after it became known they were supplying their substitute ‘sugar’ to help the British Armed Forces during a time of rationing. What the locals did not know – that under their very feet – a group of P.I.E. agents were already established and preparing for any invasion from the continent.I’ve heard of cricketers at Patcham Place talking of batting on a sticky wicket. This is almost certainly due to the continued presence of treacle in the vicinity. Re: Patcham Treacle Mine by Geoff 21 November 2004Thanks, Alan. I, too, take the story with a pinch of salt, or perhaps a salt mine, but where did the story come from in the first place? Re: Patcham Treacle Mine by Jan 21 November 2004Take a look at this webpage! http://www.wymsey.co.uk/wymsey/treacle.htm Re: Patcham Treacle Mine by Alan Hobden 21 November 2004….. and this one!www.treaclemine.freeserve.co.ukAlan Re: Patcham Treacle Mine by geoff 22 November 2004Many thanks for replies to the treacle mine. I had a word with a French archaeologist friend of mine, as I am living in France at the moment, & he informed me that the current belief over here is that Julius Ceasar invaded Britain, not to gain control over the Cornish tin & lead mines, but to grab the Cornish treacle mines, as this product was greatly sought after in ancient Rome. He also said that he thought that Asterix helped the Cornish Celts hide their mines from the Romans. Re: Patcham Treacle Mine by Derek Waite 2 December 2004I don’t know abouut the Patcham Treacle Mine but of course there were extensive treacle mines in Cornwall in the 18th Century. The treacle was found in proximity to kaolin clay often mixed with it which made a more solid substance easily cut out with a spade. Refining was done at the pithead before bottling and loading on ships at Fowey for transport to the West Indies where I believe mush was made into rum. Re: Patcham Treacle Mine by Tim Sargeant 28 May 2005There was supposed to be a treacle mine at Frittenden in Kent too !!! Add your replyHiddenAdd your title Add your wordsWould you like to add some images (optional)? If so, how many images would you like to add? 1 2 3 4 5 6Your image files will be uploaded when you submit this form. They should be .jpg or .png files. 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