Few could fail to have been moved by the horrific images of the 1984-5 miners strike. A conflict that history has claimed as the most violent British industrial dispute of the twentieth century. It was also a turning point for the industry's rapid decline.
A few days before Christmas 2015, Kellingley became the last pit to close. Whilst the argument of our energy needs versus cost, versus politics will rage on for ever only one thing is certain; a whole way of life has disappeared with their communities; ex mining towns that sadly rarely recover.
History here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kellingley_Colliery
It is not often that we come to the last of an industry and with the demolition (started in August), I wanted to cover Kellingley well, visiting four times and at various times with Dweeb, The Amateur Wanderer, The Lone Shadow and a non member.
1. No.1 Koepe and Heapstead. The high level walkway can be seen behind leading to the upper floor lamp room and baths.
2. View from the No.2 Koepe and Heapstead looking towards the cavernous Coal Preparation Plant. The two conveyors, bottom centre, shedding a little daylight on the black stuff that has been underground for just a few million years.
3. Coal Preparation Plant.
4.
5.
6.
7. Coal Prep Workshops.
8. One could get lost in those conveyors, and we did!
9. No.1 Koepe/Winding tower's bottom deck cages for conveying materials underground.
10. Control room.
11. Walkway to the man riding cages.
12.
13.
14. The contents of a self rescuer can be seen on the floor.
15.
16. Well equipped surgery.
17.
18.
19. Snug area in the canteen, complete with the obligatory safety posters.
20. Neat offices (minus the door).
21. Fitting and welding shop.
22.
23. Fan house.
24.
25. An 'investment opportunity' awaits in one of the overcapped lagoons.
26.
Finally, a sobering thought:
In 1984 there were 173 pits and over 200,000 employees. Today, there are less than 100 active NUM members. Rest in peace, king coal.
A few days before Christmas 2015, Kellingley became the last pit to close. Whilst the argument of our energy needs versus cost, versus politics will rage on for ever only one thing is certain; a whole way of life has disappeared with their communities; ex mining towns that sadly rarely recover.
History here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kellingley_Colliery
It is not often that we come to the last of an industry and with the demolition (started in August), I wanted to cover Kellingley well, visiting four times and at various times with Dweeb, The Amateur Wanderer, The Lone Shadow and a non member.
1. No.1 Koepe and Heapstead. The high level walkway can be seen behind leading to the upper floor lamp room and baths.
2. View from the No.2 Koepe and Heapstead looking towards the cavernous Coal Preparation Plant. The two conveyors, bottom centre, shedding a little daylight on the black stuff that has been underground for just a few million years.
3. Coal Preparation Plant.
4.
5.
6.
7. Coal Prep Workshops.
8. One could get lost in those conveyors, and we did!
9. No.1 Koepe/Winding tower's bottom deck cages for conveying materials underground.
10. Control room.
11. Walkway to the man riding cages.
12.
13.
14. The contents of a self rescuer can be seen on the floor.
15.
16. Well equipped surgery.
17.
18.
19. Snug area in the canteen, complete with the obligatory safety posters.
20. Neat offices (minus the door).
21. Fitting and welding shop.
22.
23. Fan house.
24.
25. An 'investment opportunity' awaits in one of the overcapped lagoons.
26.
Finally, a sobering thought:
In 1984 there were 173 pits and over 200,000 employees. Today, there are less than 100 active NUM members. Rest in peace, king coal.
