B & P Trial Shaft 1900 Text and Photographs Varian Tye June 2020
This photograph is a mystery. It appears to show a capped-off trial shaft made in the quarrying years by the Bath & Portland Stone Firms in 1900. It is located just off Box Footpath 44, which leads from Quarry Woods to Bradford Road, at Hazelbury. It lies east of the junction of Box Footpath 44 with Box Footpath 48.
The Bath Stone Firms Ltd was created in 1887 and production increased initially under central control. Around 1900, the three terraces at Mill Lane, Fairmead View and on the High Street were constructed, to provide more accommodation for quarry workers who were needed for existing and possible increased production plans. I understand that trial shafts were often sunk to assess the quality of stone for potential future slope shaft quarries and would later serve as air shafts. Perhaps trial shafts were dug in order to seek further potential sources of Bath Stone to meet this demand?
But this theory has problems. I assumed that the letters B & P referred to Bath and Portland Stone Firms, but this company wasn't formed until 1910-11 when the Bath Stone Firms Ltd took over the Portland Quarries. Perhaps the numbers aren’t a date at all? Does anyone know the answer please?
But this theory has problems. I assumed that the letters B & P referred to Bath and Portland Stone Firms, but this company wasn't formed until 1910-11 when the Bath Stone Firms Ltd took over the Portland Quarries. Perhaps the numbers aren’t a date at all? Does anyone know the answer please?