IS THIS
PROOF THAT THE LONG LOST, AND EVEN FABLED, NATLAND TREACLE MINES HAVE BEEN
FOUND IN THE CHURCH YARD?
Reporter: Mr Mo Lasses
There have been reports that recent road works and
drain clearance operations around the Church Yard have disturbed a recently
unknown and untapped reservoir of famous Natland treacle. Drainage operatives
from JG Mason and Son were surprised to find their exploratory holes,
intended to access blocked surface water drains, filling up with a black
viscous liquid when they started to pump water into the drainage system.
An expert on Natland Treacle
explained “…that the vibrations from recent ground works must have
weakened the
ground enough for the water from the drain clearance to penetrate the earth,
allowing the pressurised Treacle to burst upwards”. He went on to say
“Pressurised treacle can be very dangerous if not handled properly, as the high
pressure can produce high temperatures which, on contact with skin, can cause
serious sugar burns”.
 |
| A surprised operative and a hole |
The history of the Natland Treacle Mines is long and
clouded in mystery. The Victorians tried to map the area between the Helm and
the River Kent but the exact location of the treacle mines was never recorded.
The only surviving evidence of the Treacle mines is a single Treacle miners
cart and a delivery tricycle.
This unforeseen discovery is undoubtedly going to
renew the interest in the Treacle Mines and the possibility of speculation over
whether a small exploratory mine should be opened to assess whether this could
be a new Treacle age for Natland.
For now the location of the well has been recorded
and, with help of the local Treacle Expert, the well has been safely plugged.
It can be reported that this measure, along with the drainage work to stop
water from the roof eroding the foundations, will keep the foundations of the
Church sound and solid for another 100 years. JG Mason & Son will be
continuing with the drain clearing operation to ensure the church drains are in
working order before any summer rains arrive.