The Brunton Buddles And Wheel

Rebuilding the Brunton Buddle and installing the Wheel

Brunton Buddles were used to remove tiny particles of galena (lead ore) from the fine waste material at the end of the separation processes. There were two Brunton Buddles at Killhope, one either side of the water wheel.

Challenge

This area of the site at Killhope was in a poor state of repair and, from the remains, it was impossible for visitors to visualise what this equipment looked like and how it worked. 

Value

The project to rebuild one of the buddles, and install a wheel and watercourses to power it, was funded by the Friends of Killhope and carried out our volunteers, Ian Jowett, Russ Parkin with help from other members of the Friends. Having a buddle in working condition on the site means that the separation process can be demonstrated to visitors.