Sunday 1st August 2010 saw 3 Generations of the Welsh family visit the Mine. Roy Welsh  became the first person in a wheelchair to visit the inside of the Mine building. 
I found all 3 generations (Roy, his son Keith and grandson) inside the Foreman's Office. Roy was determined not to let a wheelchair prevent him from going inside the Office where his late father "Midge" was foreman. 

Roy Welsh and his grandson at the Foreman's Office

I suggested that perhaps if they were game for it we could find a way for Roy to become the first wheelchair person to gain entrance to the Mine Building. They were and we set off on a long trip right round the car park and into the site via the top gate and on to a view near Skew Bridge. Onwards towards Eldon's Sidings, but then cutting across the weathering bed to the top entrance. Roy had to walk a little way inside the building to get past the stored mine tubs, but nothing was going to stop him and once inside memories flooded back.

The party near the Winch

Roy had been underground at No.14 vertical shaft mine at Norden and thought he had been underground at Norden Number 7 for just one day. 

Roy 

We all enjoyed the afternoon and we look forward to seeing each other again in the building when it opens in the not too distant future. I learnt that at Norden, to keep the mice at bay, there were a group of feral cats, that were looked after by the miners with tin food purchased from Cleall's in Corfe Castle.

Roy's other son - Ian is now a porter at Corfe Castle Station. Roy's Grandson soon hopes to join the Sygnets with his eyes on becoming a steam engine driver. 

John Rowley