'I love these forbidden but fascinating places'

A new documentary film is shining a light on a group of mine explorers who find peace through hours spent exploring abandoned mine workings despite the dangers.

The Carbis Bay Crew spend hours deep underneath Cornwall, even digging out old tunnels and diving through flooded sections to reach new areas.

They admit their hobby has the potential to be extremely dangerous, so all of the crew are qualified in rescue techniques and the filmmaker, Dan Simpkins, had to train with them before going underground.

The film called The Lost Boys of Carbis Bay captures the close bonds forged by the team as they explore the county's industrial heritage and the benefits it brings to their mental health.

The project started when Mr Simpkins was on holiday and visiting Geevor Tin mine in west Cornwall.

He asked if it was possible to film there: "They said 'no, don't be like that Carbis Bay Crew lot'.

"My ears perked up and I looked them up online and the rest is history.

"Filming in these environments is dark, wet and dangerous so before we went down I trained with the crew in rope rescue techniques at their warehouse and learned how to stay safe."

The Carbis Bay Crew are careful not to reveal where they access the old mine workings, to prevent other less-qualified people following in their footsteps.

Crew member Patrick Moret said: "It's a very, very dangerous hobby, most of the guys have some qualification that is relevant, we've got three people that actually train rope access and rope rescue in the group.

"No-one goes underground unless they have had a good thrashing in the training."

The film focuses on the benefits to mental health for the group and is supported by charity MANUP? which promotes "real, impactful action on helping men's mental health".

In the film, Mr Moret talked about the importance of a shared mission for men these days.

"They'll go hunting together, they'll go out on a boat together, they go to war together and I think it's a need to feel part of something," he said.

"If people are struggling at work or in marital life it's a great outlet."

Tim Clarke, another member of the crew, said: "I always wanted to be a miner.

"I wanted to work at Geevor mine but that shut down, I wanted to work at South Crofty but that closed too and now I'm a chef!"

He said: "I love these forbidden but fascinating places because they show you just how hard life was for miners back in the day.

"There was no safety. If you fell, you died and your family would starve, they were often ill with lung conditions, but they kept coming back every day just to pick away at the walls."

The film premieres at the Kendal Mountain Festival in Cumbria on 21 November and local screenings in Cornwall are due to take place afterwards.

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