Excellent site having worked in the South Wales Area for 10 years before I was asked to leave by Mrs Thatcher, It is brilliant to see some sites which bring back my best working memories still working my way through the countless photos.

Mark Rigby
Ex underground fitter

Hi
I worked for the NCB later British Coal for 30 years as a surveyor.
Not down the Pit but as a sunshine miner working for the Opencast Executive, I was asked today what did the Deputy use his stick for. I didn't know, but said I probably knew a man who did, Can you answer the question for me?
Thanks
Graham Smith

Bill Ramsdale replies: 05 September 2006 11:24

Deputies used walking sticks usually for 3 reasons. 1. For walking with on gradients, and usually on average deputies walked further than others. 2.Sometimes as a sign of rank 3.For poking the roof to see if there was any loose stuff I knew a deputy who poked the roof once and it took 3 days to clear up the pile of rubble

Bill Ramsdale Chanters Colliery

Also John Lumsdon Replies

Hello there

I’ve just been reading the story of John Lumsdon the miner from Felling who started work at Wardley Pit in 1952, I was wondering if he had any recollection of my father Ron Summerson (Ronnie) he stared work at Wardley pit the same time as John Lumsdon and had similar training as John.

My uncle Les Watson, think he was a deputy at the pit (a Cecil Chipperfied may have worked there too, he was my uncle Les's son in law) also work there, I also noticed John Lumsdon was involved with a roof fall accident at Wardley Pit, my dad was a casualty of a roof fall accident there, I wonder if it was the same one,

John Lumsdon moved south to Staffordshire in the early 60's, at the same time my dad move to Nottingham, so many similarities, sadly my dad passed away 3 years ago so I’m unable to ask dad if he knew John Lumsdon, so I’m hoping you can ask John for me.

Visit Ron Summerson's pages, "Son of a miner and proud of being one"

Many thanks

Ron Summerson

I hope you can help me. I recall my dad telling me that he left school and went to work at 'Rufford'. This would be about 1913/14 (he was born in 1903) and lived in Ilkeston. Would this be feasible,considering he'd probably have to walk to work? I presume that the pit is closed now like so many. Can you tell me if there are any records of it that I can access on-line? It seems that all my
forebears were miners, as I was.

Thank you.
Herbert White

I would think Rufford is around 30 miles from Ilkeston so it must have been another pit.
Fionn

Can anyone help me pinpoint Rufford Colliery on the map then, looking at the surrounding towns/villages I may get some ideas for where my father lived, bearing in mind what I said above about him walking to work in about 1915. Thanks again.

No name given
Sent: 18 February 2007 18:46

To Herbert White. Rufford Colliery is situated in a village called Rainworth, its about 5 miles from Mansfield, going towards Southwell. The pit lane is about 1/2 a mile long. It’s a left turn off Kirklington Road, about 50 yards off Southwell Road. There was a railway line there to the pit, but that closed down a long time ago, before the pit closed down.

Dear Sir,

My name is John McDade and my Great Grandfather worked in Coatbridge Miners Rescue too his name was James Brown or "Jimmy" as everyone knew him.

He was the Brigade leader for a while and served there from 1940 to 1968 onwards I think. He sadly passed away in December 1981.

The reason for my contacting you is to see wether you could help me. I am looking for a list of names of the men who would have served under my Great Grandfather as I am currently writing a book about his life. He was at the Auchengeich disaster and also a disaster in Blantyre. He lived above the rescue station too.

I would be very grateful if you would have any information on any men that served under him and also perhaps details of any relatives they may have.

Thankyou.

Yours in anticipation,
John McDade

Hi!
I don't know if you can help, but here goes. My father worked at this pit for a few years in the 1950s and I remember him saying that a colleague of his had a fatal accident, something to do with the conveyer belt system I think. I have tried several times to find any information on this but have been unsuccessful and as my father has long since passed on, no further way of finding out anything about it. I would appreciate any information you could give me.
Thank you.

I am trying to find any information on my late father ( George Doherty ) he was a shaft sinker with cementation.
Regards
Chris Doherty.

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