We have in the past year moved into a house approx next door but 20 to Bickershaw colliery.

There are only 23 houses remaining on the site now and we intend to live here for as long as we can.

Having watched the last of the buildings fall there is only 1 pub of 25 remaining.
We would like a photograph of the colliery or the area to go in the house.

We were wondering if you had any you could attach to show us which we could purchase on approx 6 by 4 or 7 by 5 scale. 

Heres hoping thank you for your time 

Louise and Ray 

Hi,
I believe my family has historical connections with Kilburn Colliery. My Mother's Father was William Wilson. A mining engineer around 1900s possibly.

Apparently he worked at Mitchell Main Colliery in Wombwell, there was an accident with the lift and people lost their lives.  He never got another job as he was blamed for the tragedy. My mother just told me this today. She is 95!

I was already aware that at some point he bought Kilburn Colliery, Derbyshire but it flooded and was abandoned.

Does any of this mean anything to you, are there any abandoned pits in that area? And can you shed any light on the events of this period?

One assumes that records must exist somewhere.

If you can enlighten me at all, I would be very grateful.

I live in Derby.
Kind regards
Graham Watts

Hi Fionn

Regarding the recent request from Graham Watts regarding Kilburn Colliery,
I can confirm that the colliery closed in 1897 when the owners were Messrs Sheard, Hurst and Fell.

It was reopened in 1902 when the owner of Denby Colliery, Drury-Lowe, deepened the shaft in order to exploit the lower seams.  This venture was unsuccessful and the pit was abandoned shortly afterwards before
re-opening in 1954 until 1968  when Denby Drury-Lowe closed . 

I can find no mention of Mr Wilson in my research of the colliery.

A fairly detailed history of Kilburn Colliery can be found in the book which was written and  published by myself in 2011  entitled 'For Good Men, Denby Drury-Lowe Colliery 1839-1968.'

I have completely sold out of  copies but a very few may still be available from limited outlets, namely

• The Book Shop, 5 King Street Belper,
• Ripley Library Grosvenor Road Ripley
• Shipley Country Park Visitor Centre. 

P.S. Peter Smith worked at Denby Colliery 50 years ago (at the Kilburn Pit site)

Hi I am looking for details of pit accidents that where fatal at PYEHILL PIT  Jacksdale on the surface and underground do you know of anyone who could help 

Thanks Keith

I will email Alan Beales for you, he has compiled a very large data base.

I am trying to find a photograph and information on the New London Pit to include in our family history.

My father worked at the pit up till it closed in about 1937.

My grandfather farmed the land around the pit  up to the 1950's from the  Manor Farm at Newthorpe (top of Baker Road)

Any information would be very much appreciated.

Regards
Bill Saxton

New London Colliery sunk 1876-1878 closed 1937, location Eastwood, Digby Coal Co.

Hi,
Do you have any information appertaining to Glapwell Colliery, North Derbyshire area?

I was an electrician at this pit from 1964 to 1972 - moving on to Creswell Colliery for 12 years.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, many thanks!

Trevor Gaunt

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