Story of the bal-maidens
'Bal' is a Cornish word for mine. The bal-maidens worked at the mine head, while their menfolk went below ground - but life wasn't much easier for the women. Their jobs included separating and sorting the ore-containing rocks, manually breaking them up, and washing the fine ore material. As well as being physically hard work, the women were exposed to the worst of Cornwall's weather. Seated at low tables in open sheds or even outside, the piles of wet, broken rocks piled up over their feet and legs as the day wore on. And the days were long - often 10 hours, 6 days a week.
The mining family who lived in this cottage probably worked at either Levant mine or Geevor mine, both of which are a short walk away and open to the public. They provide a fascinating window into the industrial past of Cornwall. Levant has a working steam-powered beam engine, while Geevor, which closed as recently as 1990, offers tours above and below ground. It also has a very interesting museum, and a very good café with views out over the cliffs.
The importance of Cornwall's mining heritage was recently recognized by UNESCO which designated the area a World Heritage Site.