The locals absolutely love this industrial-scale pimple – and so do we!
It is a remnant of the clay industry, which was so prolific in the area. ‘Sky Tip’, as it is affectionately known, is an example of a very early type of spoil heap, which was created using a conveyor system, usually directly from the bottom of the adjacent pit.
The pit and tip became the logo of the clay company called ECLP, ECC (English China Clays) and now Imerys.
Most of these early remnants were landscaped or altered drastically due to the expansion of the neighbouring pit works, enabled by the knowledge of new methods – aka progress.
About 9 tons of spoil was generated per ton of china clay won, so at one time Clay Country was dotted with these unusual shapes. The area was affectionately known as the Cornish Alps as a result.
Now very few remain, and only in Cornwall obviously, so look out for this rare relic, it represents a bygone age.
The locals absolutely love this industrial-scale pimple – and so do we!
It is a remnant of the clay industry, which was so prolific in the area. ‘Sky Tip’, as it is affectionately known, is an example of a very early type of spoil heap, which was created using a conveyor system, usually directly from the bottom of the adjacent pit.
The pit and tip became the logo of the clay company called ECLP, ECC (English China Clays) and now Imerys.
Most of these early remnants were landscaped or altered drastically due to the expansion of the neighbouring pit works, enabled by the knowledge of new methods – aka progress.
About 9 tons of spoil was generated per ton of china clay won, so at one time Clay Country was dotted with these unusual shapes. The area was affectionately known as the Cornish Alps as a result.
Now very few remain, and only in Cornwall obviously, so look out for this rare relic, it represents a bygone age.
