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Wheal BetsyWheal Betsy has been worked for some time. It reopened in 1806 for lead and copper, but arsenic and silver was also retrieved. Some smelting was done at the mine, the rest was transported down the Tamar. Wheal Betsy was an effective mine and substantial yields of lead and silver have been steadily obtained over the years. The shaft was 900 feet deep. At first the mine was powered by peat dug from Walkham head. The Reddaford Leat was built around 1800 to bring water to the mines at Mary Tavy. It starts from the Tavy just below Tavy Cleave at SX 550830 and takes a circuitous route around the contours of Nat Tor, Willsworthy and Wheal Jewell. In over 4.5 miles it only drops 26 feet - quite an accomplishment. Sometimes it seems as though the leat water is running uphill - an optical illusion caused by the contours of the land. Today the leat stops at Wheal Jewell reservoir. In earlier times the leat serviced the mines of Wheal Betsy and Friendship before being returned to the Tavy south of Mary Tavy.Park the car off the A386 north of Mary Tavy at SX 512821 and take the east track that leads towards the reservoir. Follow the leat as far as you want to go towards the Willsworthy range. We didn't go very far owing to army activity nearby. Return to the reservoir, walk around it and then head for Wheal Betsy. You'll need to cross a stream and go past Cholwell farm.This is a very easy walk of about 2 miles with a clear path all the way. You are near to the Willsworthy army range so be aware of the flags.
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