What could draw an elegant young lady away from a nice position as Area Sales Manager for Avon Cosmetics to become Development Manager of the Florence Mine Heritage Centre? "I like a challenge," declares 23 year old Fiona Paine, who seems as happy in old overalls as in a smart suit. And a challenge is something that Florence Mine Heritage Centre certainly provides.

The natural bloom of her cheeks is enhanced with a blusher that is nearer to its natural source than the products she was marketing in her previous employment, for the red dust of haematite still produced by the last working ore mine left in Western Europe has its market in the cosmetics industry. She is thrilled by the amazing adventure of an encounter with total darkness deep underground where the Red Men of Egremont hewed and blasted a tough and dangerous living from the rocks, and would like many more Egremont folk, as well as tourists, to get down to the roots of their town's industrial heritage. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest underground, for the trail of past and present excavations and for the fascinating variation of rocks and mineral deposits, and, on the surface, for its engine shed and the winding gear now no longer sanctioned by stricter safety standards. It could contribute mightily to the local economy by offering to visitors an experience far more real and gritty than the toy shafts of Beamish - real enough to draw back the legendary Fred Dibnah for visit after visit.

Her business skills will be challenged by the task of promoting the Heritage Centre and increasing its appeal both to tourists and local people by a major refurbishment of the museum and the engine shed and the development of interactive features and trails for children. One of her most urgent tasks is to draw down funding - probably £450K will be needed - for a wind turbine that will continue to pump the mine after BNFL no longer needs the huge water supply for cooling purposes. Without that, a wonderful industrial treasure will be lost to the floods.
Fiona’s confidence in the unique industrial treasure she is managing and her well tried powers of persuasion are likely to avert such a dismal outcome.