Was wandering around the old Paddock the other week looking for plants in flower as part of the BSBI New Year flower hunt. Didn't find any flowers but did find this interesting stone slab over a small passage apparently leading underground.






But why is it there? The general area is extensively mined and quarried but no workings are known this low down the hill and most ventilation shafts were not protected until recently. It is too shallow to admit anyone. There are some springs which have similar coverings but no water has been seen emerging from it and the amount of rain recently is such that many long dormant springs have flowed this last month.

So I am left with no idea…