If you're in the South Yorks/Derbys/N. Notts area you may be interested in this meeting (this coming Thursday).

Today is the anniversary of the closure of the UK's last deep coal mine, (closed 2015). I think it's worth a mention.

If you are in the Barnsley area you will most likely know of the Oaks Colliery disaster, the worst mining disaster in England. This coming Tuesday sees the annual commemoration: details on 'poster'. All are welcome to attend.

A bit more info: (these are) key picks, a collier would collect a bunch of them once underground from "The Pick Hole" (Store) in the pit bottom and return them on his way out for re-sharpening. The numbers on the socket refer to the weight of the pick so excess energy wasn't used weilding a...

I've so far heard back from two pit blacksmiths who re-profiled/sharpened and re-tempered these in the 1960s/70s. Apparently still in use today with Forest of Dean miners etc. No-one has yet come up with what initials mean.

'Pits and Power Station of the UK' on Facebook is probably your best place to post the pics. If you're not on Facebook I'll put them on for you if you wish. There's also the 'Mining Memorabilia, Buy, Sell & Swap etc' also on Fbk it's mainly for what it says but you might get someone who knows.

Mid afternoon I think.

Something to cheer up these short, cold, damp days

On Thursday 19 October at 7pm in the Miners’ Hall in Victoria Road, next door to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) building the Barnsley Civic Trust are hosting a talk about mining around Barnsley - you don't have to be a member to attend - all are welcome. This is from the Civic Trust...

By the way, for those not familiar with the area, there's a good Tram service from Meadowhall to a stop right outside the Cathedral

This Coming Sunday at Sheffield Cathedral - refreshments from 13:15hrs Service 14:00hrs

In case the details don't reproduce properly: 10:00 - 16:00hrs Sunday 15th October at National Coal Mining Museum at Caphouse Colliery, WF4 4RH

The Chatterley Whitfield tours are now full for both weekends BUT there is a waitlist/cancellations 'queue'

As Mike has said, the first weekend is almost full. As of this (Mon) morning there were about 40 spaces left for the second weekend.

This site is (sadly) in a fairly poor state and consequently normally inaccessible. It is, however, open on two heritage weekends in September (9th/10th & 16th/17th). BUT you must book a place - but it's free. Check out more detail and booking links here...

Despite the odd shower - a good day. A couple of pics; lads from the Kent coalfield and one of the bands leaving the Cathedral after the service.

I agree, another 'missing the mark' programme from the state broadcaster. I suspect many of the Southern intellectuals (and Tory politicians) don't know what coal was used for; they probably think coalmining was just something they told low-life thickoes (such as myself) to do to keep them...

IMHO we could for about the next 20 years or so; after which even the 'younger end' would be getting too old. I fear the equipment situation is probably worse and we would probably have to import much of it (sadly, as with so much else). Thirty years on plus - I would think all the equipment...

Next Saturday (8th July) is the 137th Gala. A great day and it brings back fond memories of when most prominent mining areas had their own event. Railway station at Durham is about 20 mins walk away but, if you go by rail, get tickets in advance asap; fares on the day are much dearer.