1979 - Page 4

Manriding Accident at Bentley Colliery in Yorkshire

A severe incident had happened during the year at Bentley colliery (Yorkshire) 21st November 1978 when a manriding train careered out of control and crashed killing several men and severely injuring others. (Click Here For More Information)

Coal-Fired Fluidised-Bed Furnace

Sir Derek Ezra MBE Chairman of the NCB officially commissioned Europe’s biggest coal-fired fluidised-bed furnace at Ketton Portland Cement Works at Stamford, Lincolnshire, using 1½ tonnes of coal per hour, with coal mainly from Thoresby and Welbeck (North Nottinghamshire).

Heaviest Snowfalls

The heaviest snowfalls for 30 years hit the area causing problems at some pits.

Grassmoor Tip Fire

During the year the fire at the west end of Grassmoor tip (Derbyshire) was removed.

Opencast

• Heanor Gate Industrial Estate incidental coal by Ambergate Building Co Ltd, 15,080 tons of Top Hard and old works
• Newlands West (Cambro Contractors) Deep Hard, Deep Soft, Roof Soft, Brown Rake (- Dec 1979)
• Rescue, Leicestershire Upper Main 1/8/79
• Whit (Nesfield) (Apr 1979-May 1979). Nil coal worked – old workings uncovered. (see photo below)

Under drainage schemes were now part of the Opencasting method of extraction and site completion.