Unusually for me Im posting a revisit, why? well its been a few years since Iv been & I bloody like this place.
Combined with the fact as Im sure you are all aware a demolition order is in place for it so I thought Id share
A bit of stolen history
Originally a coal mine with two shafts called Mildred and Margaret between 1914 up to 1948,when the NCB (National Coal Board) was formed.Between 1952 and 1960,there was a huge cash injection which saw the development of the Coke workings.
By the turn of the 1970`s,the Coke plant employed some 1580 workers alone,and was producing 515,000 tonnes of Coke per year ...
It did this up to 1986 when the Works was bought by CPL Industries,who ceased the coal mining part of the site on 28th November 1986.At this time,a brochure stated that there was potentially 9 million tonnes of coal reserves still underground.
Coke production continued up to 2002,when a decision was made to stop production due lack of re investment for new technologies.
I was surprised to hear the wooden cooling towers are listed, but they are in a bad way & Im doubtful they will be standing much longer.
My first visit was a solo affair & I spent a while dodging security but this return was with a friend & bizarrely we didnt see any sign of secca.!
Cant believe I just read that they are still present
Sorry a bit pic heavy this one!
& everyone needs one of these ;-)
Finally I think the coke got to my mates head!
Combined with the fact as Im sure you are all aware a demolition order is in place for it so I thought Id share
A bit of stolen history
Originally a coal mine with two shafts called Mildred and Margaret between 1914 up to 1948,when the NCB (National Coal Board) was formed.Between 1952 and 1960,there was a huge cash injection which saw the development of the Coke workings.
By the turn of the 1970`s,the Coke plant employed some 1580 workers alone,and was producing 515,000 tonnes of Coke per year ...
It did this up to 1986 when the Works was bought by CPL Industries,who ceased the coal mining part of the site on 28th November 1986.At this time,a brochure stated that there was potentially 9 million tonnes of coal reserves still underground.
Coke production continued up to 2002,when a decision was made to stop production due lack of re investment for new technologies.
I was surprised to hear the wooden cooling towers are listed, but they are in a bad way & Im doubtful they will be standing much longer.
My first visit was a solo affair & I spent a while dodging security but this return was with a friend & bizarrely we didnt see any sign of secca.!
Cant believe I just read that they are still present
Sorry a bit pic heavy this one!
& everyone needs one of these ;-)
Finally I think the coke got to my mates head!
