Ian Tyler’s here tells not of mines, but of the Cumbrian sites where that miners’ staple - gunpowder, was made. All located in the south of the county, the major mills had considerable impact on the local economies as they produced, by repute, the best gunpowder in Europe. They were also dangerous places, and it is remarkable that between 1764 and 1937 ‘only’ 102 deaths were recorded, although there were also large numbers of injuries, many serious. A fascinating story, as always well told by Ian. 296 pages. Numerous B & W photographs and drawings. Paperback. Blue Rock Publications

First published in 2002 - reprinted 2010.