Fionn,
I am from Australia, I recently came into possession of a piece of harness equipment from a pit pony harness circa 1890 - 1940.

I was actually fortunate to be at the original stables underground at a mine in Australia when the piece was given to me for identification. The piece in question is shaped like a man’s boot, it appears to have sweat stains on one side and wear marks on the other. My thoughts are that it was used on some part of the harness to prevent chaffing of the pony. As an underground miner and a horseperson I am intrigued to learn what this is.

I sincerely hope you or some one reading his page may know what this is or have access to some one who could help.

Yours from down under,
Shane Reid

Hi Fionn,
I was born in Mapplewell and after my army service settled in Portsmouth.

I recently visited the Coal Mine Museum with my grandchildren who were fascinated about ponies working down the mines.

I wonder if anyone has any photographs of the ponies, Captain, Monarch, Rusty, Sweep, Boxer and Bowler but to name the few.

Best Regards

Hayden Bretton.

Sent: 26 September 2008

Hi Fionn
Thank you for your most welcome prompt response to my e-mail.

Another e-mail to you is from Nicholas Cole for a similar request, this could be the granddaughter of one of the pony men at the North, Mr Jagger Lloyd.

If per chance this is so, then the other lads were, Ciss and Dave Booth, and Hubert Turner.

In those by gone days the odd camera was but few and far between, but I do recall two old lads that did, at that time, take photographs of our local Hamlet.

Donald Ottley and Jack Norkliff are the two lads that had old Brownie Box Cameras, and did take photos of, Days of Yesteryear.

Since my last e-mail I have located one of the old Locos once used at the North Gawber Coal Mine, the Monckton No1, now restored and in use.

Sad to say but at this time several, (money grabbers), are putting copy rights to our local coal mine snap shots.

Best regards
Hayden Bretton.