Magpie Mine.

Magpie Mine, located near the village of Sheldon in the Peak District (about 5km west of Bakewell), stands as one of the most remarkable industrial heritage sites in Derbyshire, England. Magpie Mine was the last working lead mine in the Derbyshire orefield during the 19th century.

Magpie Mine. Photograph by Gary Tacagni.

Despite its abandonment the surviving remains of Magpie Mine continue to captivate visitors. The site features impressive structures, including the Square Chimney (renovated in 2016), the Long Engine House, and the Main Shaft (728 feet deep).

Magpie Mine’s history spans over 200 years, marked by both bonanzas and failures. The mine witnessed bitter disputes, fights (resulting in the murder of three miners), and a Widow’s Curse that persists to this day.

According to local lore, the three widows of the Red Soil miners placed a curse on the mine. Their grief and anger supposedly infused the site with an eerie energy. Some believe that the curse still lingers, affecting those who venture to close to the mine. Visitors often tread carefully, respecting the memory of those who suffered loss and hardship.

In British folklore, magpies are often considered harbingers of ill luck. The rhyme “one for sorrow, two for joy” reflects this belief. Saluting magpies is an old English tradition believed to ward off bad luck. When encountering a lone magpie, the correct procedure is to say, “Hello Mr Magpie. How are Mrs Magpie and all the little magpies”. Superstitious individuals might even spit three times over their shoulders and flap their arms like wings for added protection.

Yorkshire associated magpies with witchcraft. People would cross themselves when they saw one. Scots believed that magpies carried a drop of the Devil’s blood under their tongues. If a magpie appeared near a window, death was thought to be imminent. This legend may be tied to the belief that magpies did not mourn the crucifixion of Jesus.

The French honoured magpies by tying bundles of shrubs (laurel and heath) high in trees. These bundles served as a reminder of when chattering magpies alerted people to the presence of wolves. In China, magpies symbolize good fortune, and killing one is believed to bring bad luck. Koreans and Mongolians also hold positive views of magpies, associating them with happiness and weather control. In Cheyenne tradition, magpies are considered sacred messengers of the Creator. They warn humans of danger and advocate for them during troubled times.

So next time you visit Magpie Mine, remember its rich history, the curses that echo through time, and the magpies that weave myth and reality together.