A Unique History From My Work Diaries

Surveying Jobs

North Nottinghamshire Area from April 1967

Page - 47 -

Jul 1974

Subsidised transport home to Ollerton and return 14.6 miles at 7.1p and increased to 7.4p / mile ... from start July 1974 to Dec = £32.36

Mon 1 … Office … Working plans to June quarter end. Manager’s Wall plan. Quarter end measurement book etc. Updated Area HQ photo copies.

Tues 2 … U/g … Theodolite angling in 58s LG, check … 4 men (RB*, SNW, AW, KP) … Office … Calculations.

Wed 3 … Office … Checking calculations and plotting for Main Roads etc. Notices for Rescue Room next to Lamp Cabin. Discuss Sister Barbara Hoyland. Meeting 3pm … F Middleton … 44s new machine and 59s face re-design.

Thurs 4 … South side Salvage and conveyor alterations sketches for D Stephenson and copies. Info to Peter Daffin Estates re surface. Filled in form for Subsidised transport back to March 1. Discuss JAD. Final ultimatum talk to Linesmen re job and discipline etc. (RB*) … Info to Peter Davies re 58s conveyors. Russ Smith came with R & FF plans.

Fri 5 … Office … General. Progress. Discuss CW S, JAD, FD re 20s. Info from Ted Hodgson re slurry pond pipe routes. Amendments to Rescue Personnel list.                                        

Sat 6 … 14327 tons

Annual Leave 3 Days Mon 8 to Wed 10

Thurs 11 … Office … General. Amendments to Telephone plan and copies to John Clapperton. Policy Meeting then cancelled. PDI Upper Combe seam in 10s LG rip re Eric Fletcher O/m. Card for Mrs Brackenberry Canteen Manageress.

Fri 12 … Office … General. Discuss George H Jackson re Kirton Brickworks. Discuss JAD re 110s floor dirt … to be 4 inches maximum! Progress and geological folder.                               

Sat 13 … 14849 tons

Massive fall 25 feet plus at 8.10am at new Parkgate Intake Junction. South No2 conveyor was flattened. Coaling was stopped on South side for several days.

Mon 15 … U/g … (RB*, KP) … 425s, 400s, Bettison’s, 600s, 110s panel floor dirt sections with Harry Bradley Overman. Parkgate Junction centre line and grade (RB*, H Hand) … Office … Drew out sections of dirt for JAD and Ernie Corcoran. Sent some red carbon pressing through paper to Trevor Speed at Blidworth. (195 u/g)

Tues 16 … Office … General. Tonnages. 110s borehole info. Notices. With JAD 44s schedules.

Wed 17 … Office … General. Borehole info for 110s. Meeting re Kirton Brickworks … Messrs Piggott, Charlie Shadbolt and A Eddie Betts to have a tracing of East districts Top Hard seam. Schedule for 44s.

Thurs 18 … Office … Checking on old 41s levels etc. with ANM. Bar charts. Discuss Sam Pepper pumping. Adjusting Watts dial and setting level bubbles in glue.

Fri 19 … Office … General. Progress on plans. Geological folder. Stuart Whittle to go to Planning department at Area HQ later.                                                                           

Sat 20 … 16402 tons

Annual Leave … Mon 22 – Thurs 25

Wed 24 … Fatal Accident G Matthewman 110s LG lip (SNW* measured).

Fri 26 … Colliery Rest Day

Sat 27... 10121 tons

Pit Holidays Sat 27 July to Sat 10 Aug.

Mon 29 … General. Discuss work. Correspondence. Manager’s Wall plan. Discuss Roger Holmes Area Records Officer re info on Butterley Co etc. Referred to Miss Sinar at Matlock Public Records Office.

Tues 30 … General. Cleaning the office. Frank Radord came for North side workings on 6 inch scale.

Wed 31 … Holiday … Moving in day at 32 Welwyn Avenue from 33 Prior Close

… Missed Parkgate Project Meeting.
John Raine (North Derbyshire) appointed Area Geologist South Notts.

Aug 1974
Thurs 1 … Office … Discuss George H Jackson re staff etc. Meeting … Parkgate project … K Shaw DCME. Discuss Leo Kirk Deputy Area Planner and Les Kerry Projects Planner.

Fri 2 … Office … General. Info to David Lawson Safety Engineer re 110s accident … Surface … Levelling on Dirt tip No4 … 3 men (RB*, SNW, ANM).

Mon 5 … Office … General. Discuss with Dimetrius and Evangelus Greek students. 1/25000 O.S. print, colouring contours. Updated workings on 1/25000 negative.

Tues 6 … Office … New Ozaloft 1/25000 negative with underground contours and fitted with surface prints with coloured contours … Surface … Inspection of all Dirt tips … (RB* and David Lawson Safety Engineer).

Wed 7 … Office … Info to Dimetrius Greek student. Sections in Geological folder. Copied up 58s survey. Discuss JAD. Contours on 1/25000. Discuss George H Jackson. Adjusting S300 Level bubbles … no good!
Interview for Area Surveyor & Minerals Manager … A Eddie Betts was offered the job but turned it down due lack of staff and he thought that it would get worse. Job subsequently offered to Charles J Whyte, Deputy Area Surveyor South Notts, who was able to set on more staff! … too many.

Thurs 8 … Office … Contour plan to date. Info for David Rodden (at Radiant fuels Boughton Camp) re calculating volumes of coal and coke re JA Daniels. Discuss David Lawson various.

Fri 9 … Office … Rained tremendously. General. Newstead set for drifts. Plan. Geological copies re Jimmy Mayne Geologist (ex South side Overman at Ollerton).
Ken F Greaves acting Undermanager, Ian Waugh, Days, development, Derek Stephenson Nights and Alan Goodwin Afternoons

Mon 12 … Office … General. Plan. Negative of Method of Support for Back ripping … signed by CW S and prints. HM Spanton Director re investigation into death of G Matthewman at 110s LG lip.

Tues 13 … Office … Discuss Jimmy Mayne geology etc. Checked through all Support Rules negatives with David Lawson. Amended some detail. Prints and referenced in folders. JAD and Peter Davies re water on 25s LH Paddy?

Wed 14 … Office … Plan for suspected death by natural causes to W Carr on 110s face. Discuss same and 110s probable faulting with CW S. Discuss Jimmy Sterland Dosco Rep (ex Linesman at Teversal). Discuss Parkgate Junction with Ken Greaves Phone Jack Storr Thoresby re 93s co-ordinates. Referencing Support Rules. Discuss JA D re Linesmen to get overtime.

Thurs 15 … Office … Referenced Gate end Support Rules and Special jobs. Attempting to adjust CTS S300 Level … no good!

Fri 16 … Office … Discuss JAD 42s Overcast slit. Finished referencing plans. HMI John Jones re 110s Support Rules. Discuss David Lawson re same. Amends for Stage loader and Ripping tunnel.

Sat 17 … 10785 tons

Annual Leave 2 Weeks Mon 19 – Sat 24 and Mon 26 Late Summer Holiday
and Tues 27 Colliery Rest Day and Wed 28 – Sat 30

Stuart Farnsworth Cost Clerk left to Immingham?                              

Sat 24 … 13102 tons
Sat 31 … 7050 tons
Subsidised transport expenses for home to duty began,

Sep 1974  
Charles J Whyte was appointed Area Surveyor & Minerals Manager from Deputy Area Surveyor South Notts. (he would set more staff on, in fact too many).
Chris Thorne new Geologist (Jim Barnett back at work transferred to another Group).
Gordon Weeks (Welsh) started as Assistant Undermanager from Overman, Yorkshire

Mon 2 … Office … General. Filled in new Subsidised transport forms. Met Gordon Weeks (Welsh) replacement for Derek Stephenson … Surface … Extra measurements in Saw Mill. D Lawson and Albert Farley re Tommy Siddons accident. Info to Jack M Storr Thoresby by phone re boreholes. Info to ray Keeton re 45s and 62s. Discuss Jack DeLacy NUM re plan.

Tues 3 … Office … Plan. Info from John Leivers Medical Attendant re First Aid tins underground. Discuss Russ Smith re new O.S. sheets for Ollerton 1/2500 metric.
I gave Gordon Weeks the new Assistant Undermanager a 6 inch to 1 mile scale plan of the pit with panel numbers, developments etc. and a few distances to and discuss. As he became familiar with the pit his opening remark as he came into the office on numerous occasions, particularly when in charge of development on dayshift, would be …’I’m not very happy’, in his Welsh lilt. What he meant was that he probably couldn’t understand a plan or more than likely the setting of some arches, a turn, bend, grade or centre line. My general comment was ‘I’m not now you’ve come in’. He seemed oblivious to that remark and after a few words from me to try to explain his query he would go away thanking me, only to return next day with ... ‘I’m not very happy ….’. Realising that he absorbed most of what I told him at times and he thought it was important, although the Overman and Deputy in charge and usually the workmen on the job knew what they were doing, so I’d tell him anything, sometimes not even relevant to the point in question that he had come into my office for. He went away ‘quite happy’, no doubt to report to the U/m or D/m. Very rarely did he come back again the same day! Usually it used to be Eric Barton the Overman in charge of development who would come to the office quite frequently but usually to confirm something. They all had complete faith in what I told them. The jobs always ended up right in the end.

Wed 4 … Office … Colouring Dirt tip pans. Thoresby 83s borehole info on plan. Monthly Meeting Parkgate project … K Shaw DCME.
Wed 4 … M E Society 7.30pm … Longannet project … Mr Waugh, Production Manager.

Thurs 5 … Office … HMI K Couldwell re 45s Electrical installation amendments.
Thurs 5 … U/g … Offsets, lines etc. Bunker Road, South No1 Conveyor … 3 men (RB*, SNW, ANM) … Office … Phone George H Jackson and J Russ Smith re 45s Dunsil / Waterloo horizon re-entering seam (212 form). HMI K Couldwell and CW S re 45s again and Dosco supports etc. Discuss D Lawson and Peter Noone same.

Fri 6 … Surface … to Mansfield Colliery … Info and plans for Dosco heading (RB* and John Grayson) … Office … Discuss CW S various, Dosco, 58s water, Bunker, Parkgate and 45s ventilation.

Sat 7 … 12444 tons

Mon 9 … Office … 6 inch site plan and prints of 45s. Discuss JAD Dosco plan (M&Q 212 notice for Parkgate entry). Discuss KF Greaves and Ian Waugh 45s Dosco head. Same with JAD, Ernie Corcoran U/m and Mick Young Dep Mech. Printing. Discuss Alan Blyton ventilation for 45s.

Tues 10 … Office … Geological folder. Discuss K Middleton Production Manager re 10s and 28s etc. Correspondence. Printing machine serviced and repaired by firm. Discuss Rep. Roadway heights for Sec 24 (35?). Prints for Alan Blyton for meeting with HMI re 45s development. General. Shotfiring pattern for Parkgate.

Wed 11… Office … Discuss Gerry Kirkpatrick Group Ventilation and Alan Blyton. Amended Installation of Electricity plan for 45s. Discuss JA Daniels. Discuss P Noone re electrical amends. Colouring prints and Auxiliary ventilation plans. Discuss Steve WH Lindsay Cost Clerk 62s panel to go, says JP Berry Deputy Director. Info to Frank Radford Planner re same.

Thurs 12 … Office … Discuss Ernie Corcoran U/m 20s and 44s. Discuss M Young conveyor figures. Finished shotfiring pattern for Parkgate Intake drift. And prints distributed. Roof bolting prints for 20s and 44s. Informed E Corcoran 10s LG off line. 6 inch scale plan to HMI J Jones.

Fri 13 … U/g … Dial survey and line check 10s LG … 5 feet off centre to right in 10s scour … 4 men (RB*, DS, KP, CM) … (Harold Hand had extended the centre line … he said ‘Didn’t want to upset the men so I put the line in centre of arches’!) Fortunately it was not important, it was only a travelling road from one gate to another, nobody ever queried it. Through 10s Scour into AW… Office … Calculated and plotted same. Info to Eric Taylor Method Study. Interviewed Bill Poll for Linesman’s job … Not suitable. (200 u/g)

Sat 14… 11237 tons
Sat 14 … Office … Calculations for 44s and 10s and plotting. Progress. Geological folder. General.

Mon 16 … Office … Amendments to 45s Installation of Electricity letter … not good enough printing. Stencilled a new one for previous typing. Sent to HMI J Smith. Discuss KF Greaves 62s installation. 212 notice for Dunsil seam entry at 45s. 22-7-1974 … 45s design minutes.

Tues 17 … Office … Calculated projections for Thoresby 93s and Ollerton 45s re discrepancy I found on Layout Plan! … Discussed same with Frank Radford Planner and Jack M Storr Surveyor for Thoresby.

Wed 18 … Office … JA Daniels re heights of roads below 5ft 6in. Ken F Greaves re 62s project installation. Peter Hallam Area Safety Engineer re exemptions for shotfiring patterns. JAD and a Solicitor re scale on plan of fatal accident to G Matthewman on 8 more copies … total of 24. SNW had missed scale. Spoke to CJ Whyte Area Surveyor re same. Discuss Peter Davies.

Thurs 19 … Office … Discuss Henry Swan (Workman training to be a Deputy, but not at Ollerton, would go to Bevercotes. Always came to my office after showering, towel under his arm, but never washed in eyes … as black as night. He also had a very strange infectious laugh, used to make my day) also Ken F Greaves. Contouring in metres on Working plan preparation. Calculated 10s theodolite survey and plotted. Roadway heights below 5ft 6in to JA Daniels. Manager’s Wall plan with SNW. Discuss Pit bottom ventilation with Alan Blyton Ventilation Officer and Tony Tryner Assistant.

Fri 20 … Office … General. Metric contours finished. And also on 6 inch scale. Colin Wynne ICI Rep re shotfiring pattern for Parkgate headings. Progress.                                        
Fri 20 … Mansfield Coroner’s Court … Inquest on G Matthewman killed at 110s (CW Standage, RB, SNW) (Discuss Tony Caunt General Manager and John Beardsley Assistant Surveyor Bentinck also).

Sat 21 … 11381 tons

Mon 23 … U/g … Line on 600s / 400s turn. New line and check on Parkgate Intake drift, grade, square line etc… 3 men (RB*, ANM, DS) … Office … Project for Joy loaders Room and pillar. Info to JP Berry Deputy Director re Top Hard sections etc. Geological folder to date.

Tues 24 … Office … Prints of shotfiring pattern for Parkgate drifts … Surface … to Thoresby for prints of Ollerton South side for Shuttle car proposed layout … our printing machine had broken and needed mending. Notice on hardboard for Jimmy Pickering. Info to Jerry Norris, Method Study re stable holes. Jim Barnett Geologist re info.

Wed 25 … U/g … Morning … with JA Daniels and John Jenkyn. Investigation at South side 405s etc. for proposed Joy Headings.
Wed 25 … U/g … second time, in Afternoon … Measured up accident at 20s LG stable hole North side also Drapers paddy and 20s LG heights … (RB*) (11) … Office … Discuss CW S and JAD. Discuss Jim Barnett Geologist Parkgate drift.

Thurs 26 … Office … Info to JP Berry Deputy Director re Parkgate etc. Drew accident plan for 20s LG stable hole. Assisting Jim Barnett re section of Parkgate drift. Check computer return results s for 10s … absolute rubbish! They made a mistake at the Computer centre. Amendments to 110s LG stable hole Support Rules and prints. Discuss CW S. Discuss CJ Whyte re BACM.

Fri 27 … Office … General. Phone Michael Mottram (ex Teversal) Staff dept. at Area HQ re new Apprentice Steven Chapman to start Monday. Setting out underground Manpower Deployment plan. Discuss salvage with Cliff Meakin O/m. 

Sat 28 … 12646ons

Mon 30 … Office … Continued with underground Manpower Deployment plan. Roadway heights less than 5ft 6in completed, total 1,440 yards.

Oct 1974
Stuart N Whittle (SNW) left to Planning department. Steve Chapman (SC) new Apprentice started.

Tues 1 … Office … Continued with Manpower plan. Discuss Ted Lilley NACODS. Instructing Steve Chapman new Apprentice, calculations, printing, stencilling etc., etc. Charles Whyte Area Surveyor came re 15 point discussion. JAD re Bettisons and 10s o.k.

Wed 2 … Office … Continued with Manpower plan. Info from Deployment x 2. E Corcoran U/m re 110s LG 4ft 6in off line. Discuss CW S re Assistant. Tuition to Steve Chapman.

Thurs 3 … U/g … Abandonment survey of 58s district … 3 men (RB*, KW, Andy Roguz (AR) … Office … Calculated and plotted same.

Fri 4 … Office … to Thoresby to fetch Magic tape (RB) … Office … Continued with Manpower plan, discuss CW S. Made out Quarter end book. Salvage with Cliff Meakin O/m. Plans to date. At quarter end. Stencilling and inking in. Discuss Peter Longden Surface manpower. Discuss JAD re 45s fan quantity. Les Jephson from Blidworth.

Sat 5 … Office … Continued with Surface manpower with additions etc. Plan. 13267 tons
Penry Hoare started as Assistant Undermanager from Deputy Manager, Winsford Salt mine

Mon 7 … Office … General. Manpower plan finished. Second copy mine plans to date. J Russ Smith collected same for Area HQ office ... CW Standage re Assistant Undermanager Penry Hoare. Discuss Bill Woodcoc ropes. Eric fletcher O/m re fossils. Info to Method study re 10s. Info to Les Kerry.

Tues 8 … Office …Plan. Rang Keith Shaw DCME re Manpower plan. Checking Watts 5 min dial needs tight clamping for slip. Tuition to Steve Chapman Level, dial, calculations procedure. 44s pan sketch for JAD. Discuss Ken Greaves … Surface … to Clipstone discuss Hadi Al Rekabi and Walter Cantrill Laser (in Electric shop).

Wed 9 … Office … Geological folder to date. Also the typed sections drawn from for each panel. Salvage totals. Parkgate monthly meeting DR Mounsey DCME. Discuss DR Mounsey South side retreat panels possibility instead of Joy Loader headings. Conveyor figures to date.

Thurs 10 … Office … Finished conveyor figures. Conveyor statistics. Discuss Ken Greaves re 425s turns, drew out same. Geological records of boreholes. Amends to Conveyor diagram for CPP Peter Longden.

Fri 11 … U/g … Morning … 600s turn, 425s on 400s, old 200s and 405s, 425s on Bunker Road, Parkgate Intake drift heading level grade line, lines and progress … 2 men (RB*, HH) … Office … Geological folder started ... (205 u/g)
Fri 11 … U/g … Afternoon … Accident measures at top of South Paddy / 201s with Alan Goodwin Asst U/m, David Lawson, Safety Engineer, Jack DeLacy and Dennis Walker NUM (RB*) (12).

Sat 12 … 15000 tons
Sat 12 … Office … Plotted accident plan. Finished Geological folder. Manager’s Wall plan. Progress.

Mon 14 … Office … Copied up accident notes. Discuss same CW S … Surface ... Set up line pins in Surface Galleries for linesmen check. Mended 2 tapes … 3 men (RB*, DS, SC). Discuss JAD and Harry Bradley O/m re 110s slip. Discuss CJ Whyte Area Surveyor re Interview questions and related same to Jack Storr Thoresby and Peter Robinson Rufford. Report book for Linesmen.

Tues 15 … U/g … Floor dirt 202s Junction on 201s. Measured up gates with Sid Soar for check on position. Measured slips in roof on face at 110s AW end and various sections through the benk. Started setting Hollybank arches in LG … Office … Plotted same. Info to Frank Radford Planner. Looking through old survey books for info.

Wed 16 … Office … Discuss JAD and Harry Bradley O/m 110s again. Discuss Ken F Greaves and Blacksmiths. Discuss J Russ Smith … plans for Jack M Storr Thoresby and Planning dept … Incendive sparking chart for Parkgate Intake drift.

Thurs 17 … On Interview panel for Deputy Surveyor posts… CJ Whyte, David Allsop Admin Dept, Jack Storr, Peter Robinson and self. … Interviewees Gary Bardill, Mick Parker, Philip James, David Thorpe, John Bradder, Andy Wells, Neil Mason, M Barber. Discuss over Lunch at Robin Hood. Gary Bardill to Thoresby, David Thorpe to Ollerton and Andy Wells to Rufford … Office … Colouring R & FF plans.

Fri 18 … Office … General. Discuss CW S Accountability and new Assistant David Thorpe. Discuss Eric Spencer Admin Officer re cracks in walls at Welfare. Checking bearings for 110s. salvage records. General info to Penry Hoare Asst U/m.                                                            

Sat 19 … Office … Plan. Discuss David Lawson geological folder. Progress. Sorting through old calculations and Computer calculations from Cannock.
Sat 19 … 13362 tons

Mon 21 …Office … Discuss CJ Whyte re new Assistant David Thorpe from Newstead … Surface … to Welfare … Set out levelling points for subsidence damage report … 3 men (RB*, ANM, SC) … Office … Continued checking old books.

Tues 22 … U/g … with Chris Thorne Geologist, first visit, to 45s headings, AW struck first fault. Bunker Road, 600s and Parkgate Intake heading. Sections taken … discuss each 2 men (RB*, Chris Thorne) … Office … Plotted same. Discuss John Madin Planner re Manpower plans by phone. Discuss CJ Whyte re an Assistant.

Wed 23 … Office … Stats 219 form Drivage returns. Discuss Cliff Rhodes re Manpower plan folder. Salvage return. Discuss Ken Greaves and Alan Goodwin Assistant U/ms.

Thurs 24 … U/g … 2 men (RB* & ANM) … Visit to Parkgate Intake heading introduced red reflectors for centre line. Theodolite check angles on Bunker Road and Loco Road … Discuss J Russ Smith Senior Surveyor … Surface … to Welfare … Report on cracks in the building (RB*)

Fri 25 … Office … Plan prepared for Welfare. Discuss Ken F Greaves. Discuss CW Standage ladder for Parkgate heading and proposed Newstead visit. General. Progress.                        

Sat 26 … 13956 tons

Mon 28 … Office … Geological folder. Parkgate Intake shotfiring pattern from top down in 5 rounds and copies distributed. Info to Penry Hoare Asst U/m. Discuss Frank Radford Planner re 45s LG to be parallel to AW o.k.

Tues 29 … Office … 10s and South side proposed retreat faces. 73s Dunsil / Waterloo and proposed Dunsil drivages. Discuss Gerry Kirkpatrick Vent Engineer re East Booster fan o.k. ... Drawing of Green Hut for Brian Wormald Training Officer. Stencilling on Electrical Application for Parkgate seam. Surface amends for plan with Ted Hodgson and Jack Lyons. Fault info 45s and Frank Radford Planner re 45s bearings again. Eimco bucket measures and drawing for drift. Chock lines with Peter Davies. Info to Jerry Norris Method Study.

Wed 30 … Office … Prepared and coloured prints for Surface Improvements plans. Discuss JAD re 45s. Discuss Sam Pepper pumps. Took Neil Mason home ill to Edwinstowe. Discuss Russ Smith.
NN ME Soc HM Spanton … German Visit

Thurs 31 … Office … Continued with Electrical plans for parkgate. Finished off Surface Improvements plan and schedule with Ted Hodgson. Discuss JAD. Discuss CJ Whyte asked for some help … would send Brian Cooper, start next day.

Nov 1974
Alan Goodwin appointed Undermanager South and East sides and Ernie Corcoran Undermanager North side. John Goldsborough started as Linesman

Fri 1 … Office … Brian Cooper from Area HQ assisting me. Finished Electrical Installation for Parkgate plan. Pit … Splitting up plan. Write up re same. Discuss JA Daniels. Went through Statutory Responsibilities with Ernie Corcoran Undermanager for North side and Alan Goodwin, Undermanager for South and East sides. Finished negative for Surface Improvements etc.

Sat 2 … Office … Geological folder. Progress. Manager’s Wall plan. 25s pump range plan for Sam Pepper.
11205 tons

Mon 4 … Office … Check 6 inch scale plotting plan. Negative to date with faults, contours etc. for Alan Elliott Assistant Planner (to Frank Radford). Deputy’s District plan amended. General plans for Splitting the pit for 2 Undermanagers. Colouring Surface Improvements plan.

Tues 5 … U/g to 44s, 45s heading, 20s, 59s headings, 62s face and Parkgate Intake drift heading (RB*) … Meeting 3pm … R Scott CME … Parkgate ... Discuss DR Mounsey DCME Dunsil / Waterloo headings etc. and F Middleton Production Manager and Frank Radford Planner re 20s face turning as in June. Talk to John Golsborough and Jack Allen Linesmen. (210 u/g)

Wed 6 … Office … Continued discussion with DR Mounsey, F Middleton, CW Standage and Frank Radford re 20s face turning. Information for Kevin Bradley (Bevercotes) re-experience at Ollerton … very little until I came. Talk to R Pickering Linesman. Plotted 59s. A Pit bottom plan and levels for Charlie Raybon Method Study.

Thurs 7 … Office … Geological section for 45s. Installation of Electricity for 45s. Discuss Linesmen with Denis Walker NUM. Kevin Bradley and John Singleton came from Bevercotes for info.

Fri 8 … Office … Discuss Andy Roguz re Bell wire job. Time Office for attendance figures. Discuss CW S and JAD re the trouble. Discuss Ted Lilley and Brian Wormald. Meeting … F Middleton … Development. Discuss Linesmen attitudes, job etc. 

Sat 9 … 12787 tons
Sat 9 … Office … Discuss Alan Goodwin U/m and Dougie Stockham re Linesmen Kevin Soar and Andy Roguz re 20s / 44s sections etc. Progress.
Alan Wragg (AW), Linesman only attended 2 days out of a fortnight at Lound Hall Training Centre

Mon 11 … U/g … Check measured sections through 20s benk … measurements were different to those taken by A Roguz and K Soar. It would appear they had never been to the districts and made it up… Billy Bracegirdle NUM and AV Goodwin U/M re same … to sack them … Kevin Soar off work.

Tues 12 … Office … Discuss with all Linesmen at 8am, to change or go! Plans of Undermanager’s districts for Area HQ (4 copies). Discuss CW S. Continued with 6 inch metric contour plan. Meeting … Development CW S. Phone Doug Raisbeck re 45s faults.

Wed 13 … U/g … Theodolite survey in 110s LG and line check … 3 men (RB*, DS, MJ) … Office … Calculated and plotted same. To see Alan Goodwin with Alan Wragg re non-attendance to find him another job. Frank Radford re 20s turning point plan and future layout. CW s re Surface plan and future etc. Phoned CJ Whyte re help again. Brian Cooper for Thursday and Friday.

Thurs 14 … U/g … Theodolite angling with 3 sets of legs and optical plummet in Pit bottom from Loco Road to No2 … 4 men (RB*, ANM, DS and AW) … Office … Colouring Manager’s Wall plan.

Fri 15 … Office … General. Discuss CW S, JAD re John Goldsborough Linesman being sent out of the pit by E Corcoran U/m. Finished off Wall plan and hung up assisted by Brian Cooper. Discuss John Jenkins Dosco Rep. Meeting … Ted Hodgson (EH), Surface Superintendent re Surface Strategy. Shotfiring pattern for 59s AW drift. Discuss JAD and EC re 20s turning. 

Sat 16 … Progress etc. Plan. New R & FF folders. Discuss E Corcoran.                      
14005 tons
David W Thorpe started as Senior Assistant, from Newstead. Derek Stephenson transferred to Mechanisation Department at Area HQ due to his injuries caused by car accident.

Mon 18 … Office … General discussion with David Thorpe. Meeting R Scott, DR Mounsey, CW S etc. re South side development.

Tues 19 … U/g … with David Thorpe (DWT) … to 45s, 20s, North side and via connection to 62s and 59s developments East side (RB*, DT) … Office … Discuss JAD and EC re 20s turning. Discuss CJ Whyte. Plan of 650s Trunks Repair work for Ian Waugh Assistant U/m.

Wed 20 … Office … Support Rules for 62s Joy Packer – CW S. Discuss John Jenkins Joy Rep, copies etc. Discuss Ray Keaton Mechanisation same. Discuss G Kirkpatrick. Info from Alan Blyton re 425s it is a 4 feet thick wall … Surface … Measured up Workshops … 2 men (RB*, DT) (New coats).

Thurs 21 … Office … Surface reorganisation with George Hartley Deputy Mech. Discuss 20s turning JAD and CWS, drawings etc. Discuss Jimmy Mayne re 45s AW. Les Kerry Parkgate drawing. Support systems with David Lawson Safety Engineer.

Fri 22 … Office … General. Discuss AV Goodwin U/m re 25s conveyors … Surface … Completed measuring workshops … 2 men (RB*, DWT) … Office … Phone Alan Stevenson re 20s turning and 58s salvage. Continued with Surface plans for Strategic Plan meeting.                    

Sat 23 … Office … 20s check line plotted. Discuss CW S and AV Goodwin.
15002 tons

Mon 25 … U/g … with DWT … to 110s panel and sections on face, South side, Parkgate Intake heading, 600 ton bunker and 425s Road … got through hole, 600s / 400s turn…. 2 men (RB*, DWT)   (215 u/g)
Mon 25 … Surface … to Sherwood Training Centre with JA Daniels Deputy Manager to look at cable handler (Derek Stephenson in charge).

Tues 26 … Office … Continued with Strategic plans. Surface finished 1/1250 tracing.

Wed 27 … Office … Continued with Strategic for Surface. Plan of South district for F Radford and DR Mounsey visit. 20s face turning info.

Thurs 28 … Office … General and info contd. Meeting F Middleton, Production Manager … 62s Panel Dosco machine and Joy packer. Reps from Dosco and Joy re same. Discuss supports etc. Finished 2 files for Surface Strategy.

Fri 29 … Office … General. Finished second copy of Surface Strategic plan File made for Progress, development for Assistant Manager. Discuss CW S Support Rules. AE Betts brought Thoresby dial, on loan. Discuss 20s JAD. Discuss Jack Lyons Elec Engineer re Surface strategy.              

Sat 30 … Office … Plotted 20s face, discuss JAD. Progress. Geological folder to date. 15352 tons
George Ollerenshaw Chief Clerk retired. (Alan Vincent (ex Teversal) to Clipstone from U/m Markham.) Would join HMI later,
Bobby Watson (RCW) new Assistant Manager in charge of Development from Undermanager Shirebrook.

Dec 1974
Mon 2 … Office … General info with DWT. Surface … to Doscos at Tuxford to see Mk I machine … with Jimmy Sterland and RB, and D Thorpe (DWT) … Lunch at the pub and discuss. Info to Bobby Watson (RCW) re developments. Discuss Doug Raisbeck Geologist.

Tues 3 … U/g … Theodolite angling in 110s AW, catenary measuring in 110s AW and 110s LG … 4 men (RB*, DWT, ANM, AW) … Office … 20s face profile plotted and info to Gordon Weeks. Info to Jack Burling O/m re 10s and 110s selected stopping sites.

Wed 4 … Office … Calculated 110s. Discuss CW S. Discuss EC re Dougie Stockham at 20s. Newstead visit. Sharlston visit. 20s face profile plotted. Meeting re surface … F Middleton Production Manager. Pack lengths to Derek Stephenson Mechanisation dept.

Thurs 5 … Office … Plotting 110s fault estimation. Info to CW S for HM Spanton’s Revue on all faces and developments etc. Discuss Alan Goodwin U/m 110s borehole.

Fri 6 … Office … Plan. General … Surface … measured up plough for 44s in workshop, drawing same. East paddy turn … worst 50 feet radius for P Davies. Discuss AE Betts re tape metrication, Info for HMI John Rushton re 110s. Discuss Peter Robinson Rufford on phone re Surface plans.
Fri 6 … Office … 20s face plotted. Discuss CW S and AVG re same. Progress and Geological folder.

Sat 7 … 17001 tons

Mon 9 … Office … Electrical info DWT. Updating Electrical plans. Discuss RC Watson and Les Kerry re 3ft 6in chocks for Parkgate o.k. Ventilation info from Alan Blyton. Drawing of Parkgate clamps for stauntions for George Hartley. Phone Jim Sterland re Dosco.

Tues 10 … Office … Started plan. To Mechanical Workshops with lathe. Plan of location Parkgate drift explosive store on South paddy started. 2 surface plans for J Russ Smith via Alan Elliott. Discuss Booster fan and 62s JAD. Discuss over lunch.

Wed 11 … U/g … Visit to Sharlston North Yorkshire, NE 3s Low Barnsley seam MG … Dosco Side discharge machine. 3 machines on face. (Alan V Goodwin Undermanager, Peter Davies Mechanical Engineer, Jack Lyons Electrical Engineer, RB Surveyor, Jimmy Sterland Dosco Rep (ex Teversal Linesman) … discuss Percy Simpson Deputy Manager) First Side Dosco loader in country and Ollerton to have the second one.

Thurs 12 … Office … Discuss JAD and Alan Elliott Planner re panel at side of 20s from 42s. Sorting out Dosco supports. Info to RC Watson. Parkgate explosives store. Info to Russ Smith re Methane drainage and water.

Fri 13 … Office … General. Drawing of Explosive store underground. Discuss Alan Stevenson 58s salvage… Surface with Russ Smith to Boughton Dyke checking for spoil in the water. Discuss RCW various. And forms. Discuss JAD 62s.

Sat 14 … 17203 tons
Sat 14 … Office … Plotting 20s. Discuss EC, JAD and RCW. Discuss 62s pans, 15 holes start at No?
Andy Roguz (AR) Linesman left to Belt staff. Penry Hoare Asst U/m on Days, production.

Mon 16 … U/g … 10s dial survey and lines … 5 men (RB*, DWT, SC, HH, AW) … Discuss Mr Higginson Coal Survey re 20s AW sample on Thursday. Discuss RCW 45s. Discuss Maurice Lamb re 10s borehole site.

Tues 17 … U/g … Visit to Newstead Tupton 1in4 drifts … Went into the first Tupton Airway ... saw that the gate was badly crushed and wet. Only 6 panels would be worked due to poor conditions after the expensive long drifts had been driven. (RB with Ralph King and ANM) … Laser beam installation, loco ride, drift haulage and conveyor back … Office … Sorting out Seismic survey fault positions for 45s. Finished Explosive store diagram.

Wed 18 … Info etc. for meeting, 45s etc. Office … Meeting 1pm … Development … CW Standage … Meeting Parkgate 3 pm … DR Mounsey. Discuss DR Mounsey afterwards re South side retreat face and also possibility of pipes up the shaft for small coal. Plan for Charlie Raybon Method Study.

Thurs 19 … Office … General. Discuss CW S and Len Clarke President NUM (ex Manager Rufford) re 45s faults and seismic survey … AW to go 1in8 to Dunsil seam. Drafting out SM1 form for 110s. Discuss Alan Goodwin U/m. Discuss Doug Raisbeck seismic survey, over phone.

Fri 20 … Office … Discuss CW S, JAD SM1 form for 110s and also re 20s face. Coloured SM1 plan and reports. Job appraisal and increment, excellent … CW Standage. Discuss AE Betts and new coloured version of Geological map. Discuss Alan Goodwin and Ken Greaves.                            

Sat 21 … Office … Plotted 20s face check line that was phoned out the pit. Discuss CW S and Alan Goodwin U/m.
13422 tons

Mon 23 … Office … General. Tonnage sheet 311. Manager’s Wall pln. Discuss A Stevenson 58s salvage (in future Peter Hall in charge, Area Mechanisation). Plan. Erasing details of Scaffolding plans brought back from JP Berry by Roy Stubbs Safety dept. Dispatched SM1 form for 110s.
Survey Party at Clipstone Welfare.

Tues 24 … Office … General. Coloured 20s progress development plans from Area HQ. Discuss RCW various. Discuss JAD 42s re 44s AW end poor conditions.

Wed 25 … Christmas … Thurs 26 … Boxing Day … Fri 27 … Colliery Rest Day.          3715 tons
Annual leave Mon 30, Tues 31

Output = 565,170 tons                  Manpower 975 u/g, 300 s/f app
J Russ Smith Senior Surveyor transferred back to Area Planning dept future development. A Eddie Betts acting Senior Surveyor. Alf Evans back to Area HQ survey. (Gordon Froggatt U/m Pye Hill promoted to Assistant Manager Thoresby).