AlexS, Introduction.

 Hello,

 My full name is Alex Smith (yes, I have a middle name, but we won't go into that,) I'm 26 and live in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

 I work (if you can call it that) as a freelance writer.

 My interests include: Reading, Cinema, Surfing (mainly off of the Welsh Coast, but I try to make a trip or two to the Scottish Highlands  each year,) Metallurgy ( I forge my own Damascus steel,) Poker and Herpetology.

 I maintain a private breeding facility involoved in the captive maintenance ( and in some cases reintroduction schemes,) of endangered Reptiles. I haven't done any work with British species but maintain a large collection, consisting mainly of Monitor lizards ( Varanus sp. ) and many species of Pit Viper. Many people, upon finding out I work with venomous snakes, ask if I have ever been bitten myself ,and, fingers crossed, no I haven't. I've been bitten, chased, poisoned, stung and trampled by almost every other animal on the planet, but have never been envenomated by a snake.

 I also keep a number of Parrots and Emperor Tamarins.

 I joined this forum seeking info on the Devonshire Oilstone ( see this thread  http://www.picturesofengland.com/forum/General_England_Chat/3134 .) Along with the interest in forging my own steel, I've developed an interest ( and an already oversized collection,) of naturally quarried sharpening stones. If anybody can provide me with more information on the Devonshire Oilstone I would be most appreciative. Similiarly, I would be very interested in hearing from anyone who knows about any other type of stone, particularly those mined in the UK; I'm mainly interested in fine grit finishing or polishing stones but all information is welcomed. If anybody has any pictures of the old quarries I would very much like to see them. Also, if anyone can suggest any good literature on the subject, or put me in touch with any experts in the field I would really appreciate it.

  I've already been very impressed with the warm welcome I received in my first thread and would like to say it is  a pleasure to have joined the forum.

 Kindest regards,

 Alex

Welcome Alex. You have alot of interesting hobbies. I live in the Black Country so there are lots of disused quarries around here - I have attached photos of Doulton's Claypit which is in Saltwells Nature Reserve - as the name suggests it was used for quarrying clay for Doulton's fine China in the past.

Picture by Stephanie Jackson

Picture by Stephanie Jackson

I have just returned from holiday in Pembrokeshire - there is a great disused (I think they may still use it though!) quarry at Middle Mill near Solva.

Hello, Alex and welcome.

Thankyou for the welcome everyone. Sorry about the lateness of my reply, but I've been having difficulty with my broadband connection ( I don't know how many of you are familiar with Tiscali, but if you're ever in the market for a new ISP all I can say is avoid them like the plague.)

Stephanie, thankyou very much for the pictures you provided. On the subject of Welsh Quarries, the Inigo Jones Slateworks still mine and retail a sharpening stone under the old Dragon's Tongue label.

 Kindest regards,

 Alex