Dear Fionn and Liz
I have been looking at your wonderful web-site as part of my research on the memorial postcards produced by Gothards of Barnsley c.1910. We have approximately 20 of their collage/montage based postcards in the Collection here at the Museum and we are working on a large exhibition for January 2005 called 'Forget Me Not - Photography & Remembrance'. I have found very little information about the company to date and I am busy reading through various books on mining casualties but would be very pleased to hear from you regarding any information on Gothards or the names of colleagues who think will be able to help.

Thanking you for your time in advance. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely and with best wishes,
Russell Roberts

Senior Curator of Photographs & Head of Photography
National Museum of Photography , Film & TV
Pictureville
Bradford BD1 1NQ
West Yorkshire
ENGLAND
+ 44 (0)1274 203373

Hello Fionn,
I have been looking at your mine disaster list and you have nothing down for the years 1907 and 1914.

According to "Warner Gothard" montage postcards there were explosions at the Barrow Colliery, Barnsley on November 15th 1907, 7 persons killed and 9 injured also Wharncliffe-Silkstone (Tankersley, Barnsley) colliery on May 30th 1914, 11 persons killed and 4 injured. I am researching the Barnsley photographer Warner Gothard, he produced many disaster postcards as listed below, further information on the photographer or postcards requested.

Example of Warner Gothard Postcard Maypole Disaster 1908 together with information from Ken

• 1907 Barrow Colliery, Barnsley
• 1907 Hoyland Silkstone Colliery, Barnsley
• 1908 Glebe Colliery Washington.
• 1908 Hamstead Colliery, Birmingham.
• 1908 Norton Hill Colliery, Midsomer Norton.
• 1908 Maypole Colliery, Wigan.
• 1909 West Stanley Colliery, Durham.
• 1914 Wharncliffe Silkstone, Barnsley.

These have now been added, thank you Ken

I expect that you will have seen all of these postcards.

Kind regards,
Ken Keen,
Barnsley, Yorkshire

Hello Fionn, Re the Hammerend pit disaster postcard, it is in the style of Warner Gothard the Barnsley photographer, could you confirm if it was produced by him since the resolution of the picture is too low to decipher the text. Kind regards, Ken Keen, (Barnsley Local History Group).

As far as I know it is a Warner Gothard, the origianls are extremely Rare £80+

As you probably know many coal mining disasters of the early 20th century were covered by the photographer
Warner Gothard of Barnsley.
You will find an up to date list of all the mining events they covered here: http://www.warnergothard.com

Do you know who owned Pinxton Coke Ovens between 1951-1953.

I understand they closed in 1955.

Any information would be appreciated

Isabel Heath

Have you heard of the artist James North who has painted pictures of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire mines?

Nigel Stilgoe

Hello there..........after reading a few of the comments made by former employess of this pit, i am writing to ask of any known Ghost Storys attached to this site. My reason for this strange question is that we have been approached by the now American Adventure Theme park in connection to a large amount of current storys of Ghostly figures of miners with lamps, women and small children being seen by staff and visitors. Any Historical info or sotrys attached to the pit would be advantageous. Were there any recorded disasters, fires or deaths at this pit............

I look forward to hearing from you

David Wharmby

PS Ashley Hall Esq., might have seen a ghost

Fionn, By way of introduction I am a fire service historian currently engaged on a project with a colleague to produce a fleet list of all emergency vehicles used by the mines rescue services from the very beginning to the present day. There are a number of vehicles featured on your web site - generators, winders, rescue tenders, fire engines, etc - but the details are not discernible. Are you please able to let me know the chassis make and model, body-builder, special equipment manufacturer, year and registration number of any vehicle (or any of these details) for which you have the original pictures.

Can anyone else help with similar information through your site, please?

My interest is primarily in the fire service and its vehicles and my own web site is slanted accordingly. There is an obvious overlap with mines rescue and you might find some useful information on my web site (address below).

Regards,
Roger

We have a number of black and white original photos of Grimethorpe pit taken in the 1950's. They are in excellent condition. the photos are of the machinery and men working. Do you know of anyone who may be interested in purchasing these? thank you

Hi
Wondering if you could help, enclosed is my photo of Isaiah Pit Selston, there used to be 3 pits Here. I have photo's of Portland Row Selston, This is my hobby, Old Villages  Black and White of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire around 7000 now, I have sent a few to Terry of the old Collieries.

Question, do you know anything about Isaiah Pit??
Last question have you any photo's of Muckrum Village ?

Hoping you can oblige in any way.
Thanks for your Web Site, very good indeed, Best Regards Doug.

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