Hello is there anyone who would know the correct name of the houses between Golden Valley and Codner Park [but now demolished] known as Gin Stables please
Sylvia

Hello!
Do you know where any active 'emergency service mobile winders' are? I saw a large yellow truck recently with such wording on the side (and blue flashing lights fitted) in York , but cannot find any information about it at all. I am aware that it probably is not stationed in York , but any additional information or photographs you have will be a big help to me in my research.

Thank you
Richard Thompson

UK Emergency Vehicles

From: Ken Sinclair
Sent: 28 June 2004 21:15
Subject: Re: Mines Rescue Service - Yellow Peril!

Hello again
I do have quite a lot of photographs and memories especially when I joined the rescue service in 1978. I am still retained as part time (team captain) but at 46 the medical does not get any easier!

Yes, I remember the 'yellow peril' very well and was a 'turn out driver' for many years. We used to call our bedford Genevieve - she was old but very reliable, but at 12 miles per gallon quite expensive to run and hard to drive!

The mobile winder unit was most likely returning from exercise at Boulby pot ash mine in Cleveland . It probably called in at Selby Rescue Station before making it's way back to it's base in Mansfield . I know the drivers/operators quite well. They are due at Ellington some time in July and getting pics will be no problem.

Does anyone down your way remember a chap called Tommy Casson? He left our station in 1981 to a 3rd Officer's post at Ilkeston but I believe he retired due to ill health some years later.

I have a few days off next week so I will gather info and pics for you. My scanner is on the blink so pics may take a few weeks until new one is up and running.

Take care
Ken Sinclair

More about Ken

I have been researching my family history. I have come across my g.g.grandfather who gave his occupation as engine tenter. Could you please explain exactly what a tenter did in his daily job.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Bye the way – really enjoyed you site.

Regards
Carol McKee

Hi
I am the daughter of an ex-miner who after his death I purchased a set of four plates by an artist called R.D. Kristupas, the plates were purchased through one of the coal board newsletters my mother received many years ago, unfortunately 1 of the plates has become damaged, my mother is no longer with us and I dearly would like to replace it, could you help or point me in the right direction of someone who would know where I could enquire about replacing it.Many thanks in anticipation
Look forward to your reply. Denise Jones

www.burnleytoday.co.uk
www.pendletoday.co.uk
www.clitheroetoday.co.uk

My son is 8 years old; he is doing a project at school on coal mining. My dad was the only miner I knew sadly he as passed away. My son just needs some general information e.g. what clothes a miner wore, what equipment tools machines were used, what time did the day's nights and after shift start and finish.Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

John Lumsdon writes:-

Dear Fionn,
I am researching a programme for Radio 4 about the explosion at Fauld, Staffordshire in 1944. I am looking for anyone who still remembers the explosion, including anyone working for Ikeston Mines Rescue at the time, or anyone who might be able to put me in touch with those people.

Thanks very much for your help
Yours sincerely
Sally Heaven
Researcher
BBC Radio and Music Factual
0117 9742470BBCi at http://www.bbc.co.uk

In conjunction with others I am researching the early mining history of the Wollaton, Strelley, Bramcote and Trowell area together with its associated transport links. (We are in 400th anniversary year of the Wollaton waggonway) One stumbling block for moving some aspects of this forward is trying to trace some specific altitude levels information for the geological strata and the coal seam depths in the area. I have seen the information you have on your site regarding depths at the Turkey Fields Colliery at Cossall.
Could you or a reader point us in the right direction for finding either an existing, published and available, cross section of the coal seam depths around Nottingham and thicknesses, or just those for the Wollaton Colliery and possibly the nearer of the neighbouring ones in the area too.

John New
Webmaster - Stephenson Locomotive Society (SLS)
Founded in 1909, the premier society for the study of railways and locomotion.