Hi
Having recently walked around Brierley Forest park (once Sutton Colliery) I was reminded that its nickname was “The bread and herring.” (My Dad worked there for many years so I had heard the phrase before) There is an enigmatic engraving in the park about “getting the tail and not the head” and I have found out that a “bread and herring pit” was one with poor working conditions but can’t find out the origin of the phrase. I wondered if you knew anything about this?

Thank you
Elaine Horton

Hi there, my name is Lorraine and I am writing a book.

I wondered if you could help me, first let me explain I am gifted, not mad or making it up, I really do have a gift.

Recently I went into the Brickmakers Arm public house on the Brownhills Rd, Walsall Wood, Walsall, West Midlands. I was with a friend who I also gifted. The last few times we have been in there has been a feeling of devastation. He now tells me that this was where the families had waited to see if there loved one's survived a pit accident. I have search everywhere and all I can find is this,

BROWNHILLS. Brownhills, Staffordshire. 9th. January, 1861.

I am getting a little frustrated and wish all sites were as good as yours. Can you point me in the right direction please. Anything at all that can tell me just the least little bit about this accident.

I wish to go and talk to the landlady also but I can not do this until I have some written proof for her.

Yours hopefully,
Lorraine Ash

Extract from Talke Explosion 1866

 

During all this time the scene at the pit bank was the most harrowing description. Around the head of the shaft stood a dense crowd of colliers and others looking sadly and silently on the terrible revelations of the catastrophe.  At the edge of the bank were men and women anxiously inquiring for sons, brothers or husbands, whose corpses would presently pass them on the way to the Inn. And in here a still more heart-rending tragedy was being enacted.  Their friends and relatives in their grief were identifying dead bodies.  All through the dull afternoon, the dark evening, the cold and bitter night, these things were going on, and when the next morning

arrived 58 bodies were decently laid out at the Inn, ready to be placed in their coffins.

 

John Lumsdon

---

Wed 15/11/2006

Hi Fionn,
I have looked around and can't find any explosion at Brownhills Jan 9th 1860.
I have attached a copy from the Brownhills history web site of one on 1st Oct 1930. Maybe this could be of some help, she may be able to look up some local newspapers.

John.

 

Hi
I don’t know if you or your associates have any information, but here goes!!

I have recently moved into a house called Prospect House at Denby. It has probably been named this recently, but I think it is in the boundaries of the old Denby/Kilburn collieries. I would really like to find any information about the past of this house. I have been told that it was the managers/owners house but I don’t know if that is correct.

Please contact me with any information.

Thanks.
T Jones

Help Page