Hi

I have been self collecting the minerals of Cornwall and Devon for nearly 40 years. It started when I was a child living on the estate of Lord Falmouth in Cornwall where my father was the head Gamekeeper.

We lived in a remote area of the estate where the road to the house was made up from what is now obvious to me as mine waste, ( Lord Falmouth owned many mines and quarries throughout Cornwall).

From the age of about 8 years after rain I noticed that some of the rocks in the track sparkled in different colours and that some actually had nice little crystals within. I started to collect some of these rocks and the relationship with minerals began.

The interest developed deeper due to a number of persons who came to assist my father with beating and vermin control who were either miner's or connected with the mines or claypits - in particular Wheal Jane, Mount Wellington, South Crofty, Pendarves, Geevor, Goonvean and Blackpool pit.

These friends brought me specimens from the mines and quarries and the interest grew and grew.

I became really good friends with a miner, Mike C from Pendarves Mine who took me down a few times on his shift and really taught me what I now know about minerals from digs at Wheal Unity, Gorland and Penberthy, this was enhanced by being one of the original members of the Wheal Gorland team who originally opened up Davey's footway shaft and gained access to Davey's stope. If you have the late Dave Smith's book - "Project Gorland - the Redigging" - I am the Bernie in there.

I became a good friend of the late Dick Barstow when he was living at Drakewalls and when time and family allowed went on many local collecting trips with him and also at the same time formed a great friendship with Bill E from Calstock who now no longer collects. I learn't a tremendous amount more from these two giants as you can imagine.

These days I am still involved in the odd project - see http://www.minecaptain.plus.com/wma/footway.htm

I only collect for myself minerals from Cornwall and Devon, I have a specific interest in Cassiterite, Wolfram and Pitchblende and collect this by locality. I prefer rich ore specimens when I can can find them but will collect any as long as long as Cassiterite is visible. I will and do collect anything as long as it is from the two Counties.

Provenance is the most important aspect of my collecting and I won't and never have entertained anything of doubtful or suspect origin.

Over the years I have acquired many duplicate specimens that I am now happy to sell or swap.

I currently have some Cassiterite from North Dartmoor Consols,
Rose Quartz from Devon,
Cassiterite from Waterhill Mine ( Wheal Caroline section) Postbridge,Devon
Wolfram from Hawkswood Mine, North Hill, Cornwall ( Although invisible to the naked eye under the UV light this is very rich in Scheelite),
Uraninite from Wheal Edward, St Just
Amazing Goethite from Restormel Royal Iron Mine Crystalline and Wood Iron varieties

And much much more just email me with your interests and if I have anything your interested in we can perhaps come to a deal.