A Unique History From My Work Diaries

Surveying Jobs

North Nottinghamshire Area from April 1967

Page - 64 -

Jan 1983

1983 subsidised transport at 12.0p / mile = £337.12

AV Goodwin holiday 1 week. R Flint Acting U/m. GA Quibell Apprentice Block release at Tech till 18 Mar and Peter Williams Apprentice at Technical College Block release till end of June.

Tues 4 … Office … Discussion work. Quarter end book. Working plans to date. CW S and RF re check lines 12s and 2s. Discuss ART CJ Whyte phoned re pit visit. Signed Ian Smith’s Apprentice forms.
Robert Hunt Head Weighman started would take over from Eric Kirk

Wed 5 … Office … Des Thompson Harworth phoned. Continued with Working plans and made all negs to date. CW S re 12s and 2s check lines etc. Discuss re 9s Retreat face. RF re check lines. Haulage info to R Darby. G Ison phoned re tackle. Stippling plans to date. Discuss D Raisbeck re swilleys.

Thurs 6 … Office … 1/5000, 1/10560 and 1/1000 plans plotted and up to date. Phone CIDS re 33s AW rail track line. Discuss G Ison re equipment, brought CTS dial and 1 tripod and took old CTS 2 min Bomb dial. Discuss Ken Middleton Hollybank and F Gieves re 9s LG arches breaking. Discuss E Hodgson re possible Dirt tip alterations i.e. Dumpers. Roy Garrett Newstead phoned, sent plans of Junctions via JRG. CW S re same. DM Parker Sutton phoned re Support Rules, new I 82/6 from 1/1/1983 No ref. Discuss J Herbert development and computer print outs for development instead of 13 week chart.

Fri 7 … Office … Finished base plans with contours and stippled on 1/5000, 1/10560 and 1/10000. Dirt tip plan in folder… showing Dump truck roads on Dirt tips. Discuss E Hodgson same. Discuss Ken Hartwell ATT.

Sat 8 … 17713 tonnes

Mon 10 … Office … Info and plans to date for Risk Assessment folder. Info CIDS re 9s LG end proposals. … Surface … to Stores with copy of new BS arches for 9s LG. Sorting out 9s Support Rules. CIDS phoned. Discuss K Hartwell ATT. Discuss AVG re 9s. Discuss Steve Wyatt re shafts. Info to P Hollingworth ET re Compressed air etc.

Tues 11 U/g … Catenary measuring 3rd drift Conveyor Road snicket. Adjusted Laser beam in heading. No4 drivage centre line and grade line and 400s overcast centre line and grade line and bearer line overhead ready for dismantling. … Office … Info for conveyor form from Green Hut. Meeting 2pm … J Lyons Vertical Bunker. Discuss Peter Davies.

Wed 12 … Office … Finished conveyor form, info from D Lees. New conveyor chart … Surface … With Don Brown, photographer to fan house. Checking through Oil boreholes sheet. Manpower info from B Wormald and info from SWH Lindsay Cost Clerk. Phone CJ Whyte. Phone Don Brown. Started Conveyor plan. Discuss P Noone. Discuss J Lyons and checked through info.

Thurs 13 … Discuss E Gillfillan and K Hartwell ATT. Finished Conveyor plan neg … reorganised. Phone J Storr Thoresby re progress 104s in shaft pillar. Phone G Ison. Phone Des Thompson Harworth re R Siddall visit and John Shone. Phone John Shone and discuss. Discuss a meeting with JH. A Liney and AR Tryner re 9s AW end ventilation and support system. Discuss JH and JS re meeting tomorrow re Vertical Bunker etc.

Fri 14 … U/g … Checked Vertical Bunker 2nd ring for level with Water level and for centre, fixed centre line with winch from quarter lines. Discuss K Hartwell … 3 men (RB*, EWF, DS). Discuss M Young and D Lees 2s A conveyor. Discuss Stuart Whitle. Discuss JS re boreholes. Found Campbell’s heading from 3rd drift Conveyor Road, discuss various. Discuss CW S and JH re possibility of opening Campbell’s from 3rd drift and using as a travelling road.

Sat 15 … Office … Cleaned out the cupboard. All Wall plans to date … 22575 tonnes

Mon 17 … Office … Prints. Discuss R Hunt Head Weigh re coal stocks. Conveyor form finished. Discuss various. Compressed air info to date. Pumping plan info to date. Discuss D Raisbeck geology. RF re 12s face withdrawal.
Electrical Assistants Portacabin operational near pit yard Green Hut.

Tues 18 … U/g Visit to 33s panel, overcast connection, 1s Following Return, Vertical Bunker, Conveyor Road where it hit Campbell’s old Road and 4th drift development (CJ Whyte, WEB Barlow, G Ison and K Houghton) ... Office … Lunch and discuss. Meeting 3pm Additional Airways Project R Anderson. Discuss J Herbert, M Clarke and an ET.

Wed 19 … Office … Discuss P Rees geology. Plotted 12s and 14s swilley. HMI John Jones re 15 men exemption plan renewal for 3rd drift Conveyor Road and prints. Meeting … Strategic Plan at Area HQ 2pm, JE Wood Director (CW S and self RB) … Office … CW S and JS re meeting. Notice for AVG U/m.

Thurs 20 … U/g … To Vertical Bunker checked 3rd row of blocks, set out centre line from quarter lines, checked levels and radius … Office … RF re sketches for 12s withdrawal and Support Rules. Phone Jane Arnold Area HQ Survey office checking through boreholes for Risk Assessment folder re G Ison. JH re 2s and 14s centre lines. (615 + 9 u/g)

Fri 21 … Surface … to Thoresby to collect DI4 instrument and discuss. Discuss S Cooper and R Simmonds re ladders for Vertical Bunker. Discuss J Herbert and CW S Pit bottom drivages development. Discuss Ted Hodgson re Dirt tips. JR Greasley re Boughton Dyke. Discuss Peter Noone.

Sat 22 … 23084 tonnes
EW Fretwell holiday Fri 21 – Sat 29

Mon 24 … Re operation … Mansfield General Hospital.
Mon 24 … Office … R Topliss Asst Cost Clerk re figures. Incentive figures. Progress. Phone M Clarke. Additions to Noise Level survey underground. Russ Wagstaffe and Ray Flint rre new Progress chaser, various. Phone G Ison Senior Surveyor re borehole info. Alf Evans also … Surface ... with JR Greasley Senior Surveyor to Boughton Dyke and discuss re possible diversion? ... Office … Malcolm Clarke brought plan. Meeting 2pm Vertical Bunker J Higginbotham. Info re 2s A conveyor to CID Swinscoe and R Carlin. Discuss SN Whittle. Info to JH re 9s.

Wed 26 … Office … Plotted 14s levels etc. Discuss WEB Barlow. Info to R Flint 9s face. Also to George Case re tackle and materials. Discuss Tony Tryner Pit bottom development. RF re bar charts etc. for 9s kit up and 12s withdrawal … several times! CW S and Stan Hacking Deputy Director Admin re land around Dirt tip for possible allotment use. Saw Dennis Walker President NUM re same. Info to IW Smith. Phone JH info re 12s etc.

Thurs 27 … Office … Bar chart negative made. Bar chart copies for 9s development and 12s withdrawal. Discuss AV Goodwin U/m various. Discuss JH re 33s panel. 3 plans for possible site changes of land for visiting allotment gardens at Boughton. Phone G Ison. Discuss K Hartwell ATT re Vertical Bunker. Additions to Progress book. Phone John Shone Thyssens. Discuss J Stewart. Discuss CW S and JH re 9s and 12s. Discuss Stuart N Whittle.

Fri 28 … Office … Plotted 12s AW offset survey on 9s development 1/500 scale plan. Phone J Shone Thyssens. Hone K Hartwell. JH discuss 9s and 33s. Presentation to Eric Kirk. Discuss JS and AVG and Benny Wells. Discuss SNW. 

Sat 29 … 24716 tonnes
Eric Kirk Head Weighman retired.
HH (Bert) Grime Assistant Manager at Bevercotes appointed Area Tunnelling Engineer. Russ Wagstaffe Planning Progress chaser retired.

Mon 31 … Office … Discuss J Stewart various. Records to date. Discuss Dennis Roebuck Deputy Area Safety re proposed Vertical Bunker base, sinking etc. and plans. Discuss Ken West back from South Africa. 2 more bar charts for 9s to CW S. Meeting 2pm Capital Investment, Manpower Savings and Development. CW S discuss re Ken R West.

February 1983

Tues 1 … Discuss Brian Wormald Training Officer.
U/g … Checked 5th row of block in Vertical Bunker … 4 men (RB*, PGS, EWF, DS) then theodolite survey and DI4 EDM up 9s LG development … plus 2 … (B Kalnins and R Farrow) … Office …Instruction on Water Level. Discuss P Rees 33s rippings strata. Phone Derek Francis Meco re possible 2s Booster conveyor again and taking out 2s B drive.

Wed 2 … Office … Discuss K Hartwell (ALG) … block 6 completed on Vertical Bunker. Check through conveyor form with Method Study. Phone Keith Jenkins Thoresby re instrument usage.
U/g … To Vertical Bunker and discuss sinking etc. (RB*, Gary A Quibell (at Tech College) and Ian W Smith (Clipstone)
New levelling stave brought by G Ison.

Thurs 3 … U/g … To Vertical Bunker sinking. Checked 6th ring for centre and level … 3 men (RB*, EWF, DS) … CW S re advance of Conveyor Road to 622s. Long Service Certificate. Tuition to Peter Williams (Tech College). Re papers Malcolm Clarke re underground visit next Wed.

Fri 4 … Office … Checking Risk Assessment info in folder. Phone JH info. Info to D Lees re conveyors. Discuss Ted Hodgson. Maurice M Whittle prints. Phone John Shone Thyssens. Discuss Ken Hartwell ATT. Phone D Roebuck re meeting for Vertical Bunker development. Discuss P Noone re electrics. Plotted levels to date. Phone Gordon Ison various.

Sat 5 … Office … Wall plans. Dirt tip info from Geologist filed and also other info. … 25033 tonnes
Jim Stewart holiday 1 week, Ray Fint i/c Development

Mon 7 … Office … CW S re development progress
Mon 7 … U/g … To Vertical Bunker sinking checked 7th row of blocks for centre and level. Discuss K Hartwell ATT … Office … Discuss Bert Grime ATT and John Shone Thyssens. Phone G Ison re Tech College for Linesmen! Amended Back ripping plan of gates for 400s Overcast job. Discuss same CW S and development in general.

Tues 8 … U/g … Theodolite survey and DI4 EDM in 12s LG. Gradients across the gate and fast end 1in3 … 7 men (RB*, PGS, EWF, DS, B Kalnins, C Ingram, M Cox) … Office … Phone George Case re Conveyor Road Junction steel. Discuss C Jackson, Deputy re 12s and dip. Discuss J Herbert. Meeting 2.30pm Additional Roadways Project R Scott CME. Discuss. (620 + 9 u/g)

Wed 9 … U/g … To Vertical Bunker, Strata Bunker, 9s LG heading and 10s LG, Conveyor Road and 4th drift development etc. … 3 men (RB*, John Herbert and Malcolm Clarke) … Office … Discuss Bert Grime ATT. Meeting 2pm Vertical Bunker JH. Discuss 54 inc conveyor for Vertical Bunker in feed and loop etc. with Peter Hall, Alan Dennett, CID Swinscoe. Discuss J Lyons and Richard Sneade various.

Thurs 10 … Office … General, correspondence. Titan E134 drawings etc. CW S re proposed installation of Titan in 3rd drift. Discuss KFG re proposed training of Site Observers and Overmen at accidents. Continued with 9s Support Rules for retreat working. E Hodgson discuss. P Noone discuss. Meeting 12.30pm Development Junction at Conveyor Road and 3rd drift Connection Road. Tuition to Peter Williams re plotting. Meeting 2.30pm … Vertical Bunker … Planning out stages for Vertical Bunker base … Bert Grime … Eddie Gillfillan, Ken Hartwell, PG Shaw, KF Greaves and RB.

Fri 11 … Holiday Crufts Dog Show.

Sat 12 … 23861 tonnes
Agar L (Eddie) Gillfillan Area Tunnelling Team retired.

Mon 14 … U/g … To Vertical Bunker sinking, checking 9th row of blocks for centre and level … 2 men (RB*, EWF) … Office … Manager’s Wall plan. J Lyons discuss proposed installation of Titan E134 Road header in 4th drift. Sorting out various Hollybank number of arches from old face headings for Matt Marshall Storekeeper. Phone Shirebrook re Titan in surface drift. Discuss B Whetton Drawing office re proposed installation of 54 inch in feed conveyor for Vertical Bunker.

Tues 15 … Office … Various. Discuss E Hodgson Dirt tips. Discuss MF Whittle, Estates. Discuss Andy Liney and ART re proposed Booster fans and info re sites etc. Discuss Sid Deeley. Discuss Ken Hartwell. Discuss SN Whittle. Phone SN Whittle re steel ordered. Printing. Discuss G Ison.

Wed 16 … U/g … Theodolite survey and DI4 EDM into Conveyor Road and also into 4th drift. Checked 200s drift. Loco Road falling in etc. … 5 men (RB*, PGS, EWF, DS, D ?) … Office … Discuss Frank Dove Area Civil Engineer and BT Bailey re dirt disposal. Discuss J Herbert various. Meeting 3pm ... Additional Airways Project R Anderson. Discuss J Herbert, A Liney, J Lyons re various cross sections of drivage etc. for Titan E134.

Thurs 17 … U/g … To Vertical Bunker sinking checked 10th row of blocks … 3 men (RB*, PGS, DS) … Office … Discuss CW S and Ray Gregory Production Manager and plan of 2s for R Gregory. Discuss Bert Grime and K Hartwell re Vertical Bunker base method of work. CW S re development of 3rd drift. Fred Gieves Hollybank re arches for 9s face head … re-usable. Peter Williams tuition.

Fri 18 … Office … Notice for KF Greaves re testing of Methanometers in cabin near Deputies. Discuss J Sommerson Becorit. Discuss J Lyons re Shirebrook Titan Roadheader paper. Info D Lees 2s D Conveyor end. Discuss D Roebuck and KF Greaves Vertical Bunker base and other Junction work and Conveyor booklet. Discuss AVG U/m. Discuss KFG. CW S re plan for Pit bottom roads using a Load haul dump machine for HMI next week. Des Thompson phoned. Prints. Dispute except 12s.

Sat 19 … 21929 tonnes
Retirement Party for Eddie Agar Gillfillan at the Robin Hood.

Mon 21 … U/g … To Vertical Bunker sinking, checked 11th row of blocks … 2 men (RB*, PGS). Discuss B Sheppard dust. Phone G Austin Bilsthorpe various. G Ison re Risk Assessment plans and info, took to Area HQ. Meeting 3.15pm … Profile etc. for 3rd drift Titan installation. Sent plan to HMI for application to use Diesel Eimco 913 Dump Haul Load machine in No2 Pit bottom area. (625 + 9 u/g)
Started spraying Conveyor Road with concrete as a precaution against leakage air and possible heatings.

Tues 22 … Office … Discuss Bert Grime ATT. AV Goodwin re check lines. Trevor Speed Blidworth phoned various. Repairing dial legs. J Shone Thyssens and Malc ? ex Surveyor Merthyr, S Wales discuss and Fred Gieves Hollybank. Plotted 12s swilley and levels. Plotted 2s and 33s levels and contours. Discuss KFG.

Wed 23 … Office … Plotted contours to date. Investigation into No1 Pit bottom old road on old plan … for 4th drift connection etc. Various tuition to Gary Quibell from Tech. JH re 14s swilley in LG re coal clearance. Discuss WEB Barlow discuss with GA Quibell etc. R Newton Rep for Hollywell (ex Teversal) discuss. JS discuss development. Phone Bert Grime. Plan for CW S re JE Wood Director’s visit tomorrow to 9s.

Thurs 24 … U/g Visit to 14s LG conveyor in swilley and line clips for grading. Discuss same JH, AVG, J Parkes Deputy, D Lees and CIDs. To 400s overcast (RB*) … Office … Dicuss JH and 9s LG floor and roof hardness’s. Phone JRG re Dirt tip calculations. Phone G Ison re tackle. Discuss JS re 1s Following Return heading …’horrible’. Tuition with Peter Williams from Tech.

Fri 25 … Office … Checking through Pit bottom plans with PGS. G Austin Bilsthorpe phoned. Contours inked in to date. B Cottingham re old Pit bottom. Water info from Brian Day PPM ... Surface to Thoresby to take DI4 EDM then to Bilsthorpe discuss G Austin proposed ‘Teach in’ for Site observers etc. for accidents.

Sat 26 … Office Progress. Wall plan for JH. Checking 3rd and 4th drift section projections for TH goaf and gates.        
24423 tonnes
John W Jones District HMI retired.

Mon 28 … Surface … Tacheo survey of Full sidings coal stocks and Rapid Loader stockpile and Empty sidings cobbles and check on No9 Lagoon … Office … Filled in Dirt tip form. Calculated and plotted same. Interpolating contours. Discuss M Clarke Planner. Discuss Ted Hodgson No9 Lagoon 1000 cu m per week… same!

March 1983
Tues 1 …G Austin Bilsthorpe phoned, discuss. Graham Millward fetched Tacheo instrument. Calculated tonnage of coal stocks and form filled. Form for every face and 1/25000 key plan and details for HMI Guy DR Adamson for new HMI to start, Malcolm Bottomley. CW S and HMI re accident and CW S re coal stocks. Phone Ken West re job as a Linesman … too qualified and only temporary.

Wed 2 … Office … Water Action figures too date … To Area HQ … 9th Annual Meeting of Surveyors, CJ Whyte ... Office … MF Whittle Estates and DJ. Coal stock tonnages check sheets and 1981/1982 Aerial photos volumes of Dirt tips records to JR Greasley.

Thurs 3 … Office … 3 notices for R Ilett voting 7/3/1983 for NUM ... To strike over pit closures, 2 notices for AR Tryner re D6 Methanometers. Discuss Steve WH Lindsay Cost Clerk. Manager’s Wall plan. G Ison phoned. Discuss PG Shaw and EW Fretwell re points from Surveyor’s Meeting. Discuss CW S various and 9s LG development stopping place etc. Discuss same J Stewart. Drew sketch for same. Discuss J Lyons re Pit bottom Vertical Bunker for a Report for USA

Fri 4 … Office …Compiled a letter to Mining Co in Alabama USA re repair work and tonnages etc. for TH Vertical Bunker. CID Swinscoe and M Young reports. R Clarke Bricklayer re same. CW S letter o.k. Graham Hall Bevercotes re accidents … to supply plans later. JS and RF re 9s face entry. J Lyons re addition to letter. Discuss AVG.

Sat 5 … 22848 tonnes
R Flint Acting U/m

Mon 7 … Office … Discuss JS re Conveyor Road Junction etc.
U/g … To Vertical Bunker sinking. Checked 15th row of blocks for radius and level. To Conveyor Road Junction, checked Level grade line. Discuss Eric Barton O/m … 2 men (RB*, PGS) … Office … Graham Hall Bevercotes rang … Surface … Measured up collision outside offices with a NCB lorry and a private car … Office … Constructed plan and prints. Info R Flint re 9s development. Discuss J Lyons and RS and Gary Noble Bevercotes re Pit Bottom substation arches 19 ft. x 15 ft. D6 Methanometers start.

Tues 8 … Office … Checked through letter to USA. Plan of Pit bottom for CW S for District HMI Fred Turton first visit. We shook hands and I reminded him of our work together at Teversal in 1954 when he was a Junior official in charge of installing trunk conveyors on the Dunsil South Plane Road replacing tub haulage and I was part of the team putting centre lines on, 3 slightly different ones as there was an offset at the transfer points. We reminisced for some time with CW Standage looking on quizzically, until he finally interjected … ‘You two will soon be brothers’ We laughed and turned to the task in hand! Assisting Paul Brown Elec with bar chart. Discuss installation problems of 54 inch conveyor with JS and D Lees … Surface … to Mansfield Glass Co for small mirrors …
NUM vote on Pit closures but 61% voted No!

Wed 9 … U/g … Check measurements , offsets etc. re the 54 inch conveyor for Vertical bunker … 3 men (RB*, D Lees and B Kalnins) Vertical bunker sinking checked 16th row of blocks … 2 men (RB*, BK) … Surface … to Workshop for conveyor and 2s AW end proposed changeover … Office … Meeting 2pm … Vertical Bunker J Higginbotham start, then J Stewart. Discuss SNW and A Dennett. J Lyons re substation for 2s new conveyor … and paper on the Titan Roadheader.

Thurs 10 … U/g … Check offsets etc. for 54 inch conveyor for Vertical Bunker … 3 men (RB*, PGS, EWF) ART re Firedamp holes. Plotted same. CW S re Support Rules for Titan E134 from HMI. JS re 9s and drew out entry plan. Discuss shotfiring pattern for Following Return. CW S, JH, RF re Walton struts on 3rd drift. Info to RF. WEB Barlow with Peter Williams interview and report.

Fri 11 … Office … Shotfiring pattern for Scouring for JS. Phone re water coming in 5 feet (1.3m) high in Following Intake and Return Connection at 40m in approx. Discuss 54 inc. conveyor with D Lees and CID Swinscoe. Discuss Derek Francis Meco Rep re same. Discuss J Faben. Drawing out sections. Plan for JRG re No2 Dirt tip allotment area … sent. Phone WEBB re Bench Mark for Severn Trent for River Maun. Discuss S Dutton Rep Gullick. Discuss JH and Jenkins Rep re struts etc. CW S and JH and JS signed Vertical Bunker plan after me. Discuss JS various. Phone G Ison. R Bland discuss … Surface … to Mansfield Woodhouse Laboratory to take water sample from 1s Following Intake.

Sat 12 … 24062 tonnes
R Flint Acting U/m

Mon 14 … Office … Phone Gordon Ison Senior Surveyor. Incentive figures. Discuss Roy Bland Strata Control re new calculations for Support Rules. Phone Ray Greasley Senior Surveyor re Wc's etc. Phone Laboratory Ron Gillott water result … old workings. CW Standage Manager re 1s Following Intake and Return drivages. Discuss Jim Stewart Assistant Manager development. Phone John Herbert Planner re grades etc. in 1s Following Return and confirmed Titan E169 for same and RH22 to stop. Phone Eric Fletcher O/m re 14s.

Tues 15 … Office … Working plans to date. Progress plans for JH and Area HQ. Figures to date. Phone G Ison re dial for Thurs re J P Berry. Risk Assessment plans by JP Berry Deputy Director Mining. CW S re photos of Loco circuit. Discuss Ken F Greaves Safety Enrg’r. Discuss Jack Lyons Elec Engineer re Titan E169 for Following Return. Info for BR. Discuss work with team.

Wed 16 … U/g … To Vertical Bunker sinking. Checked 18th row of blocks for radius and level with water level. R Siddall just had to say something … ‘I hope you’re not holding these men up putting the grade line on, It doesn’t matter to 3 inches’. I just ignored him and carried on. I wasn’t going to lower my standards for anybody. If it meant an hour holdup then so be it. But it didn’t and was only about 20 minutes. The ring was adjusted to my line. Discuss K Hartwell ok. Then discuss CW S and R Siddall DCME and K Hartwell afterwards. Checked grade line for 54 inch conveyor … 2 men (RB*, EWF). … Office … Discuss M Clarke Planner development. CJ Whyte, G Ison came re Paula Lesh to go to Thoresby ... No... No ... No! … then possible staff changes. I expostulated … 2 apprentices … Gary Quibell at Tech College on block release from last year to March and Peter Williams from Jan to May !!! Tuition to them on Wed afternoons generally. When they come to me they know very little, never been on a job on their own, can’t use instruments, can’t calculate and plot plans … it goes on, then when they can do these things they are moved, the new pit getting the advantage and me starting again … plus others on holiday … look at work load … come and try it! I might add that all who have moved at some time phoned me up for advice or info … Senior Surveyors … check up on their progress! (630 + 9 u/g)
There was an altercation between Gordon Weeks Assistant Undermanager and Horace Marshall Deputy at 33s that turned into a fight.
RICS Meeting at Basford Hall. John Wilson … Working under old Ollerton Graham Hall re new Waterloo Pit bottom at Bevercotes.

Thurs 17 … U/g Theodolite survey and DI4 EDM in 33s AW down 1s AW and in 33s LG … 6 men (RB*, PGS, EWF, BK, MC DW) … Office … Amended plan for 1s Following Return for exemption for 17 men. Meeting HMI GDR Adamson re exemptions for panels … KF Greaves, and J Higginbotham. Also Peter Eyre Area Fire Officer and John Hayter Fire Officer re Fire Certificate plans and work to do. Discuss J Herbert planning. Phone Andy Liney Group Ventilation re Booster fan site. Phone HQ for JRG. British Rail plans to date.

Fri 18 … Office … Phone JRG re allotments at Nos Dirt tip end. Calculated 9s LG survey. Sorting out Vertical Bunker base. Calculated 33s survey. Discuss CID Swinscoe Mech Engineer re 2s / Following Intake Junction re possible changes in conveyors. Amendment to 14s Stable hole plan for Ray Flint. Phone CJ Whyte. Phone Stan Hacking Deputy Director Admin and sent plan of proposed allotments. Phone G Ison re photos of plans. Printing.

Sat 19 … Office … Made all Working plans to date … inked in, levels, contours, dates etc. ready for photos.
20119 tonnes

Mon 21 … Phone HMI GDR Adamson re 2s Support Rules. David Lees re possible change of conveyors for Vertical Bunker feed. New standard Mine plan SK / 6669 finished … Surface … to Area HQ to take plans for photographing. KF Greaves and CW S re exemptions expiring … filing system. Discuss Eddie Moody Joiner. Phone SNW.

Tues 22 … Office … Discuss KFG. Sketch for Matt Marshall Stores re struts to order. Discuss CW S and DR Mounsey DCME re various … and Booster fans etc. Phone Area HQ Meeting 1.20pm Jack Lyons, Andy Liney, RS, ART, RB discuss proposed Booster fans.

Wed 23 … Office … Made a reduction of Winding house to 1/100 scale for Fire Certificate plan. Phone J Herbert … not going to do Booster fan drawings. Phone Andy Liney same. Gary Quibell tuition various. Meeting 2pm Vertical Bunker JH. Discuss conveyor Alan Dennett Drawing Office. Discuss AVG U/m.
The fracas between G Weeks and H Marshall Deputy last Wed came to a head which led to all Deputies going home, so the pit was stood and all men left, there was no afternoon or night shift or dayshift on Thurs. Unions involved BACM and NACODS and Area HQ.

Thurs 24 … Office … Copied up 33s survey. Info to Method Study and plan to date for progress W/e 19/3/1983. Discuss and tuition to Peter Williams apprentice from Tech. Discuss SNW Planner. Phone Jack Storr HQ. Exemptions back from Repository and checked through for Doscos!
Only 53 men in pit on afternoon shift.

Fri 25 … U/g … Visit … Took sections around 2s AW and 1s AW for proposed Booster fans. To 2s LG prep work for new line of proposed conveyor removal at 2s B TP. Phone Jack Storr Thoresby re various and tackle. Phone Brian Hopkinson Marketing re cobbles stock. Discuss D Lees conveyors. … Surface … to Thoresby to take tackle.

Sat 26 … 15306 tonnes
Deputy’s dispute settled
CW S off 2 days, JH Acting Manager. Ray Flint Acting U/m. Eric W Fretwell, Gary A Quibell and Peter Williams holiday 1 week

Mon 28 … Office … All Wall plans to date … (7). Discuss J Stewart. Incentive figures. Phone Dicky Bryan O/m re 12s to go. Phone JRG. Checked through surface plan for demarcation etc. and amends.

Tues 29 … U/g … Conveyor lines on for proposed 2s A/B realignment. 1s Following Intake shortening. New 54 inch conveyor centre line across Junction and new 9s conveyor down 2s etc. and discuss D Lees … 3 men (RB*, PGS, DS) … Office … Plotted out same. Discuss same with CIDS, Discuss M Clarke. Discuss office work to do. Scaling tracings for 1982 / 1983 and check on tonnage. Discuss JRG various.

Wed 30 … Office … Continued with 9s Support Rules. Discuss KF Greaves. … Surface … Measured up Lamproom re proposed extension for Cozalene oil store … Office … Began drawing same.

Thurs 31 … Office … Finished drawing of Lamproom extension. Copy to J Lyons and Richard Clarke Bricklayer … Surface … to Joiners re various … Office … Plans to date. Phone P Rees re geology of various ripping lips. KFG re Noise Level plan copies. Meeting 2.30pm Capital Investment, Manpower Savings and Development R Anderson. Discuss Steve WH Lindsay, J Stewart and M Clarke re development. Computer form filling in. Discuss PGS re Bunker base girders.
Output 1982 – 1983 = 1,045,277 tonnes Profit £13,600,000

April 1983
Philip G Shaw holiday and Peter Williams holiday 1 week

Fri 1 … Office … Calculated scaling tracings. Discuss D Lees conveyors. Info from R Darby and P Houghton re haulages and updated plan. Tonnages. Discuss MFW. Discuss R Topliss Asst Cost Clerk re same. Amended drawing for proposed extension to Lamproom.          

Sat 2 … 18887 tonnes

Mon 4 … Easter Monday Holiday and Tues 5 … Statutory Holiday

Wed 6… Office … Maurice Whittle introduced R Moxon Estates. Checking information. Discuss and tuition with GA Quibell. Made up contours on 1/5000 and Pumping plan negative. Info to Jack Gelsthorpe Asst Training Officer re 33s for Training face. Meeting 2pm Vertical Bunker J Stewart. Discuss SNW Discuss Terry Jones Dowty. Info to J Stewart re 9s for Method Study.

Thurs 7 … Office … Phone R Moxon Estates re various. Phone G Ison scaling figures for 1982 / 1983. Discuss SWH Lindsay re 1982/1983 scalings and tonnage. Transferring surface features onto flat sheets. G Ison brought back folders for flat sheets. Second copy plans to date. Exchanged Area HQ copies. Discuss various with D Soar Potential Deputy. Phone J Herbert. JS re grade in Following Return. Saw CW S re same.

Fri 8 … Office … Sketch of Conveyor re-arrangements and prints … Surface … Measurements of Titan E169 Road header in pit yard … 4 men (RB*, KF Greaves, EWF and GAQ) Tracing. Discuss CID Swinscoe, M Young and Derek Francis and Jack ? Dowty Meco Reps re base of Vertical Bunker. Discuss various with Phil Abram Potential Deputy. Printing.

Sat 9 … 11725 tonnes
RADAR installed in Pit bottom 1000 tonnes Vertical Bunker for depth monitoring (replaced the Neucleonic ones).

Mon 11 – Sat 16 … Annual Leave

CW S holiday … J Higginbotham Acting Manager. W Denton Asst U/m Days, G Weeks Afternoons an R Flint nights (holiday 1st week)
Ken Willings started as Methane Drainage Officer transferred from Creswell.

Sat 16 … 21213 tonnes

Mon 18 … Office … Correspondence. Checking through various sections across Pit bottom Connection Road ... checked with PGS and EWf. Discuss PGS work done. Discuss AVG re Deputies. Phone Russ Worsey Planner re visit to Knife edge Junction to Vertical Bunker base. Sorting out papers for Site Observers course. Instruction to GAQ re panzer creep and gate lead etc. to keep gate on centre line.

Tues 19 … Painters Norman and Alan in Print room and safe. General. Info re various. Emergency Egress neg and print to date. Info re Pit bottom buffers to Tom Hillier Bricklayer. Same to M Young and to check girders. Tuition to GAQ centre lines. Phone Peter Williams from Tech College re various. Discuss R Sneade Dep Elec. Phone Dosco MkII info re advances for March.

Wed 20 … U/g … Checked marks for centre lines, level of girders for buffers in No2 shaft sump. Discuss AV Goodwin U/m. HMI F Turton and JH re Support Rules for Titan E134 and Titan 169. Discuss A Liney Booster fans. Meeting 2pm Vertical Bunker J Stewart. Tuition to GAQ. Meeting 3pm Additional Airways Project R Anderson. Continued tuition with GAQ … Discuss SNW, Ken Hartwell. Ian W Smith various Info to W Denton re 9s Face supports … they don’t fit!

Thurs 21 … Office … Discuss J Srewart various. Reorganised folders for plans. General clean up and painting main office. Phone JRG re Aerial photos of Dirt tips. Discuss Ted Hodgson and Freddie Parr Crane driver re Dirt tips. Long Service Certificates (7). Discuss AV Goodwin. Tuition to GA Quibell and P Williams geology. Discuss JH Booster fan site. Same with Jack Lyons.

Fri 22 … Office … Checking through old Top Hard plan re Ken Cross old props etc. at 400s overcast. Retirement Certificates (3). JH re Booster fans again ! AVG discuss. Russ Worsey Planner re feather edge and PG visit o.k. Checking through Aerial Surface plans from level points needed for Meridian Airways.
Finished painting office.

Sat 23 … Office … Manager’ Wall plan. JH plan. General … 23285 tonnes
Call out to Accident 4pm. U/g with Alan Goodwin U/m, Jack Thompson and John McGinley and Wm Sunderland Deputy John Longstaff, Fitter, accident in 33s LG face end. (37) (635 + 9 u/g)

Mon 25 … Office … Plotted accident plan to J Longstaff 33s. Discuss Ken Wlliams Methane drainage. Discuss JH re Booster fans site etc. E Hodgson re water on gardens … there was a storm Fri and Sat. Discuss and info re Vertical Bunker Feather edge Junction for Russ Worsey Planner. Discuss John Ryan Deputy re information required for accidents. Calculated and plotted 14s and 33s levels and 12s swilley. Wilf King re cables in Pit yard.

Tues 26 … Office … Copies of accident plan. Discuss AVG and KFG. Tracing of proposed steam pipe in Pit yard. Planned out levelling for Aerial photos of Dirt tips. Second dispenser from Peter Hurst Pit Head Baths Superintendent.

Wed 27 … U/g … Visit … Checked part of 54 inch conveyor structure erected. Checked Vertical Bunker base with Ken Hartwell ATT. Checked grade etc. at 3rd drift Connection Road and 4th drift … brought out geological samples. Checked around old Loco Circuit In Pit bottom … measured sections … Office … Plotted same. Discuss AVG. Tuition to GAQ re plotting etc.

Thurs 28 … Surface … to Workshops for new screws on dial tripods o.k. … Office … Notice. 9s contours … noted face dipping steeper. Drew out section for 3rd and 4th drift Conveyor Road. Meeting 2pm Capital Investment, Manpower saving and Development R Anderson. Discuss J Herbert. Plan to Andy Liney proposed Booster fan house. Discuss JH re 54 inch conveyor and loop etc. !

Fri 29 … Office … CID Swinscoe re 54 inch conveyor loop. Discuss. Correspondence. Discuss DM102 EDM instrument etc.G Ison, KF Greaves and J Lyons (re elecs) same. Phone x2 B Whetton Drawing office re 54 inch conveyor and No2 shaft sump buffers with Richard Clarke Bricklayer and shaftsman. Discuss Roy Bland Strata Control. KF Greaves and witness to accident to J Longstaff and plans etc. Discuss AV Goodwin. JH re 12s progress and 9s face head ! KFG re accident plan location for W Ilett. Discuss Gordon Ison.

Sat 30 … 22707 tonnes
Sat 30 … Office … Plotted sections at 3rd / 4th drift Connection Road. Info to Bill Denton Asst U/m
Mick Young Deputy Mech Engineer moved into new office at end of Stores building next to Deputy Electrical. Ted Hodgson Surface Superintendent office same.

May 1983

Mon 2 … May Day Holiday

Tues 3 … Office … Discuss KFG re 9s Support Rules. Also re exemption for 3rd Drift Connection Road … new plan. Amending 9s plan. Discuss Charlie ID Swinscoe 54” conveyor and clearances etc. SNW re same. Discussion Alan Dennett, B Whetton, CID Swinscoe, M Young, RB re same later … sections through roadway etc. Continued with new negative for Pit bottom exemption.

Wed 4 … U/g … Grade line for 54 inch conveyor inbye snicket over passbye … fouling in parts and needs dinting. To Vertical Bunker base … exposed to floor nearly 7 set above. Discuss Ken Hartwell ATT 3rd and 4th drifts heading and sections … 2 men (RB*, PGS) … Office … Meeting 2pm Vertical Bunker JH. Discuss SNW.
John Gillott Apprentice Surveyor Thoresby died from leukaemia aged 21. When he was at Ollerton and having treatment I used to let him attend work when he could, when he was not feeling too unwell, sooner that stay away from work altogether although he was on sick leave. I asked CJ Whyte not to move him from Ollerton as John appreciated my thoughts about him. Sending him to a new pit was bad thinking and my arguments fell upon deaf ears. He would then be among another set of people who didn’t know him whereas he had settled quite well at Ollerton and was as happy as he could be among people who knew his problem and accepted and treated him with kindness. He could still have a game of cards now and again.

Thurs 5 … Office … Retirement Certificates. Meeting HMI GDR Adamson, KFG, J Hayter, Peter Eyre, RB re Fire Certificate plans … Surface visit re same to PHB, Deployment, all the Workshops, Canteen, both sides clean and dirty, Stores, Lamproom. Discuss SNW re Underground visit o.k. Instruction on tracing with Peter Williams Apprentice afternoon visit. Plan to CW S re 3rd drift etc. exemption for 15 men. Sketch of 2s face end for AV Goodwin re gobbing chain.

Fri 6 … Office … Retirement Certificates. Info to John Hayter. Discuss K Willings re methane boring. Meeting Proposed haulage temp and permanent systems for 3rd drift 1in4. CW S, JH, S Dunlop, CIDS, MY, KFG, RB. Ron Ilett NUM asked for a Meeting re Linesmen having no overtime! Discuss same with J Higginbotham.

Sat 7 … Our Silver Wedding Party at the Swallows Hotel, South Normanton. 17639 tonnes.
Installing Fire door on first floor landing.

Mon 9 … Office … D Lees re conveyors. CIDS re ATC track for 3rd drift. Referred same to J Herbert, also discussed same with Sam Dunlop Group Mech Engineer. Correspondence. Discuss J Herbert … Surface to Titan and Load Haul dump FSV … Office … Discuss SNW and K Hartwell progress etc. Several Retirement certificates.

Tues 10 … U/g … Visit to 54 inch conveyor installation and Vertical Bunker base at ¾ seam excavation … Office … Discuss CW S Pit bottom layout and Load Haul Dump FSV (Free steered Vehicle … diesel). T Speed Blidworth phoned re garage ... no. ST Barnes Bevercotes phoned same. Discuss R Ilett and D Walker re Linesmen … again! This was where Denis Walker and John McGinley said that ‘They would stand the wheels’ (in other words call the pit out on strike) over my attitude to the belligerent linesman and that I could not sack his men. ‘I agree’ I said ‘to the wheels standing then I can have a rest’. At that as quick as a flash and blowing a small smoke ring through a larger one from my King Edward cigar … I lolled back in my chair as they stood there and replied ‘Thank goodness they are your men and not mine’. I was absolutely pig sick of the continual ‘sending the union man syndrome’ that I flipped. Denis and John were thinking what to say next when I said … ‘Put them flat caps on them flat heads and **** off’. At this they stormed out of my office. I thought afterwards … I could be in trouble for saying that. After about half an hour the long one on the phone rang as I expected and the Manager wanted to see me. On entering his office he asked ‘Have you been swearing at the union men?’ ‘Yes’ I replied ‘I don’t tell lies’. There were two of them to one of me anyway. Walter utched his glasses up his nose and grinned. ‘Forget it, I wished I could’. End of altercation but those two never spoke to me again. Denis Walker would become a Mayor of Ollerton town and have a street named after him. Discuss Eric Spencer Admin Officer various. Des Thompson Harworth phoned … Surface … Called in at Area HQ for discussion with John Wilson Subsidence, John Eyre ex Blidworth and W Keith Houghton ex Ollerton.

Wed 11 … Office … General … Funeral for John Gillott at Edwinstowe … Office … Discuss K Hartwell ATT. Meeting 2pm Vertical Bunker J Higginbotham. Discuss SNW and P Noone. Ian W Smith afternoon … tuition various.

Thurs 12 … Office … General. Correspondence. Info G Mayne and discuss ventilation. Ken FG discuss. Notes for H2. Discuss P Noone cables. Updated shaft plans and 6 copies. Discuss M Clarke. Tuition GA Quibell and P Williams. Surface plan amends with EWF.

Fri 13 … Office … Phone John Wilson Area HQ … Surface … Subsidence levelling 2 circuits … Office … Made out charts and an old one for 1s TH and sent to J Wilson via JRG.

Sat 14 … 22206 tonnes

Mon 16 … Office … General. Phone P Rees re no visit. E Hodgson discuss Dirt tips. JH enquired about Thoresby surveyors. Phone Ian Shaw Thoresby re centre lines etc. Discuss AV Goodwin U/m re Linesmen. Phone WEB Barlow re shaft surveys.

Tues 17 … Office … Discuss P Rees Geologist. Updated Additional Airways neg and print for HMI Malcolm Bottomley re AVG and discuss. Sketches for JH re development re JP Berry visit for Lunch … Surface … Accident to Dave R Smith at Blacksmith’s shop. Smashed fingers under power hammer (RB*, PGS, EWF and photos. (38) Discuss KFG re 14s. Phone Jack Storr Thoresby.

Wed 18 … Office … AVG and discuss E Spencer Admin … Surface … Measured up Joiners shop … (RB*, EWF) … Office … Plotted same and plan. Rep from Hanmade re 2 way chute for 2s / Following Intake … Meeting 2pm Vertical Bunker JH … Surface … to Stores discuss Matt Marshall. Posted notices re Rest Days … must give 7 days’ notice … Lots of men wanted a Rest Day ticket signing for the day before when they didn’t turn up for work, so that they would get paid. The Linesmen did it frequently until it was stopped.

Thurs 19 … U/g … Final survey of 12s district, dial through face and trig levelling … 5 men (RB*, PGS, EWF, GAQ, DS) … Office … Letter from Staff Manager re Conveyor belt examination in the event of Industrial Action by NUM members … P Robinson Rufford, K Jenkins Thoresby, ST Barnes Bevercotes, Bill Fox Creswell phoned me for advice. Discuss my staff. Calculations for 12s survey and trig levelling.

Fri 20 … Office … Phone JRG re photos and letter. CW S and HMI M Bottomley re accident plans and photos, A Clark and KF Greaves. Continued calculations for 12s. HMI M Bottomley re Manager’s Demarcation for surface. Herbert Shaw Sherwood, Graham Kemp Bilsthorpe re Conveyor exams. Discuss Cliff Meakin O/m.

Sat 21 … 21435 tonnes
Linesmen started doing face check lines clocking on at 5am

Mon 23 … Office … Andy Wells Rufford phoned re BACM and conveyors. Phone ART re 400s overcast fall ! Discuss KFG. Phone J Wilson re subsidence Peafield Lane and closure etc. Discuss E Hodgson coal stocks … Surface … to Washery with Peter Longden and railway line removal … Office … Meeting 2pm with Ron Ilett, N Parker NUM, AV Goodwin U/m, RB and PGS and R Crawford, Barry Kalnins, Roger Farrow, Chris Ingram, Mick Cox re overtime, check lines, general attitude and standards of work (this was a better team!) Regarding the linesmen. The number of days absent from work this year for the following 6 men in 97 days less 3 Statutory holidays but including overtime shifts on Saturdays for 3 out of the team ... K Soar 12 days absent plus 3 weeks on the club, plus 8, and 4 new rest days. R Crawford 7 days absent plus 8 and 2 rest days. B Kalnins 26 days absent plus 8 and 6 rest days. R Farrow 21 days absent 8 rest days plus 4, and 4 weeks holiday. C Ingram 20 days absent plus 8 and 4 rest days. M Cox 14 days absent, 4 weeks on the club plus 8 rest days plus 1. That was 100 shifts  missing without authorisation and they wanted the NUM union man to confront me.  Previously others had been absent similarly overall averaging 17 shifts missing overall. Again I should have sacked the lot and started again but the Training Officer had no one available, The job still had to be done and D Stockham and my assistants did a splendid job of carrying out some of the linesmen's duties as well as their own. At Teversal not one linesman ever had an 'unauthorised' shift off in all the 17 years I worked there. Discuss P Noone elecs. Plotted 12s and inked in, swilley, levels etc. Discuss JS general.

Tues 24 … Office … AVG discuss. Plotted 12s and swilley and contours on 1/5000, 1/10560 and 1/10000. Contours for 2s and 33s. JH re 2s chocks at gate ends. M Clarke discuss dev. E Hodgson discuss coal stocks. Notice re Loco and drift … 2½ tons of ballast per tub. Phone various …

Wed 25 … U/g … Visit to 2s LG dint for new 2s B Conveyor. Discuss Charlie Jackson Deputy re installation of 54 inch conveyor structure. To Vertical Bunker base with Ken Hartwell ATT checked the height on 3rd pour of concrete at 4 feet. To Pit bottom 4th drift, section at 101m … Office … Meeting 2pm Vertical Bunker JH. Discuss SN Whittle Planner various. Plans from J Wilson Subsidence. Sam Dunlop Rep re BACM various. (640 + 9 u/g).

Thurs 26 … Office … Plan. JH re 2s LG end chocks and checkline. CW S re MS1 form for 12s. Instruction to GW. Meeting 3pm … Additional Airways R Anderson. Discuss CIDS re ATC turn out. Discuss J Herbert and M Clarke. Plotted 9s contours.
33s AW paddy operational.

Fri 27 … Office … Plan reduction. Discuss P Longden re updating the Coal Preparation Plant drawing. Phone WEB Barlow re GA Qibell. 1 Retirement certificate. Printing. Discuss AVG U/m. Calculations with GAQ, PGS, EWF re 2s.

Sat 28 … Office … Manager’s and Deputy Manager’s Wall plans. Discuss PG Shaw work. 17890 tonnes

Mon 30 May – Sun June 5 … Pit Holiday 3rd Week
Mon 30 … Annual Leave – Sat June 4 … 5 Days.

PG Shaw, EW Fretwell, GA Quibell, P Williams, Paula Lesh all holiday 1 week
No2 shaft Pit bottom buffers installed. New 6 feet long water tank in No2 Pit bottom.
New Weigh plate at Newark Road end and new rails. Old rails up Dirt tip.

June 1983

Sat 4 … Aerial photographs of Dirt tips. (Meridian Airmaps?) Nil
Alan V Goodwin U/m holiday. Bill Denton Acting U/m.

Mon 6 … Office … Phone WEB Barlow various. Correspondence. 12s abandonment report. Figures to date. Report typed. Discuss K Hartwell and HH Grime ATT. Tracing for 12s abandonment for Risk Assessment file.

Tues 7 … U/g … Visit to No2 Pit bottom buffers check. 400s overcast, Combe and Top Hard seams near floor. 1s Following Return and 33s overcast check. 1s Following Intake Connection Road … ‘warm water’ running in, RH22 Roadheader machine bogged down. To Vertical Bunker base, 7’ 7” left to concrete to underside girders. Checked conveyor line. To 3rd drift Conveyor Road … airlock for conveyor (RB*). Office … Plotted 4th drift section. JRG phoned re Aerial photos last Saturday.

Wed 8 … Office … Phone WEB Barlow. 1/5000 plan to date. Printing. Discuss PGS work. Discuss ART re ventilation. 4 Retirement certificates, Discuss E Hodgson surface activities. Meeting 2pm Vertical Bunker JH ... I raised access ventilation situation! Discuss K Hartwell and SN Whittle. Amending 2s LG end Support Rules.

Thurs 9 … Office … Discuss ART re Vertical Bunker ventilation. A Rep from Firm re floor. Discuss JH several times re Vertical Bunker and Pit Bottom Roads. Phone K Hartwell re Vertical Bunker base. Old Ordnance plans with Wilf King Elec and GPO Rep and ‘prints off prints’ for same. Tuition to Peter Williams Apprentice. Plan. Discuss K Hartwell ATT.

Fri 10 … Office … Discuss work. CW S re further plan for 3rd drift 15 man exemption … ozaloft and amends. Continued with 2s LG end Support Rules. Phone JRG re Yearly Dirt tip and lagoon figures to date since 1974.    

Sat 11 … 19197 tonnes
CW S holiday. JH Acting Manager for 2 days. Gary A Quibell holiday Mon 13 – Tues 21. P Williams Tech

Mon 13 Office … Bill Denton re various. Bilsthorpe plan of Whole arch setting 18 / 19 ‘doctored’ for Substation. Discuss KH re Vertical Bunker … concreting finished for walls. Phone G Ison re old Computer Tachymeter sheets. Phone Graham Milward Bilsthorpe … Surface … Tacheo survey of coal stocks … Office … Discuss KF Greaves. Calculated and plotted coal stocks. Calculated tonnage. Mine water pumped from Brian Day PPM. Discuss J Proudlock Mech re 2s B Conveyor. CID Swinscoe re catenary387 ft and plotted same.
Mindev machine in 1s Following Intake Connection Road.

Tues 14 … U/g … to Vertical Bunker. Set out centre line again and centre line for conveyor bull nose and height and grade line. Centre line for winch and angle line. Bunker base, set out grade line and centre line and girder lines from centre line down the shaft … 4 men (RB*, PGS, EWF, DS) … Office … Printing. Phone G Ison. R & FF neg and copycat copies of Pit bottom amends for 3rd / 4th drift connection thirling. Discuss J Stewart and W Denton. E Hodgson re Aerial photographs of Pit tips.
Pit Bottom Road thirled o.k.

Wed 15 … U/g … to 4th drift / 3rd drift Connection Road thirling. New airlock doors. Removed laser brackets etc. from Conveyor Road … 2 men (RB*, EWF) … Office … Meeting Vertical Bunker JS. Discuss M Young and D Lees winch and conveyor. Discuss SNW and PN re substation. Examining aerial photos.
Began 18/19 feet whole arch setting at 3rd drift substation.

Thurs 16 … Office … CW S re 3rd drift / 4th drift ventilation plan etc. for 15 men exemption to HMI. Discuss ART same. R Hunt Head Weighman copy of coal stocks. Phone JRG same. Aerial photos continued. 2s check line made out from info phoned out by linesman. Management Meeting 1pm CW S. Phone G Ison. P Noone re Stornos. G Ison fetched same for Thoresby and brought DI4 EDM.

Fri 17 … Office … Amends to 15 men exemption plan of Pit bottom. Discuss K H. Discuss and info to Terry Jones Dowty Rep. JH re up to date bar chart for Vertical Bunker and copies distributed. Phone Peter Thompson Harworth re wrong plan sent.

Sat 18 … 19237 tonnes
PG Vertical Bunker walls and girders completed.
Constructed new concrete Road to Dirt tip and dirt stockpile.

Mon 20 … Office … Discuss work. Correspondence. Phone JRG re aerial photos. Wall plans to date. Dennis Gilberthorpe Civil Engineer re new road to Dirt tip. Check calculations with CID Swinscoe Mech Engineer re 2s B Conveyor catenary. Check through and discuss with M Forsett Rescue Station Superintendent and KF Greaves re Emergency procedure and underground R & FF plans etc... . CW S re 1s Following Return Lingard box fan ventilation system blow and exhaust for HMI.
JE Wood Direcor to Vertical Bunker and Pit bottom.

Tues 21 … Office … General. Discuss D Gilberthotpe Civil Engineer. 33s checkline and distance. JH same. CW S re HMI. Discuss P Noone Dep Elec … Surface … to Coal Prep Plant measures for Fire Certificate plan. Plotting same. Discuss John Faben Strata Control. Phone CJ Whyte re staff changes (for Thoresby). Phone WEBB re same. Phone R Sneade Dep Elec re Stormas. G Ison brought back same. Phone HQ re plan from Harworth. Discuss Bill Denton re 9s and Pit bottom … wrong arches.

Wed 22 … U/g … 3rd / 4th drift Connection Road. Vertical Bunker base, building platform. (With GAQ). (Then plus RC and BK) conveyor line and offset line for excavation at 2sB conveyor. To Return drift conveyor. Checked tension end line and gearhead and loop (9” and 4” and need cross levelling) … Office … A Liney discuss 10s AW slusher. Meeting 2pm Vertical Bunker JH. Meeting 3pm Additional Airways RA. Discuss J Herbert dev. JRG came re Aerial photos.
9s face thirled o.k.

Thurs 23 … U/g … Visit to 9s face thirling into 12s AW. Discuss Deputy measure up for 3 swan neck arches (RB*) … Surface … Workshop to see Brian Goacher welder re same, discuss W Denton re same. … Office … Discuss W Hamilton BSC (British Steel Corporation) re arches o.k. Discuss AVG re 2s dint etc. and catenary for conveyor. Phone GAQ re 14s LG line. What to do? Discuss WEBB and GAQ re report. Discuss JS and W Denton. Discuss AVG U/m re meeting and possible meeting for 9s men.  (645 + 9 u/g)

Fri 24 … Office … Calculation for number of chocks for 9s face. Discuss KFG re 3rd drift … Surface … to CPP continued measurements for Fire certificate (RB*) .… Office … Plotted same. Phone re Pit bottom plinth for Load Haul Dump … ‘Snowy’ Roy Evans Deputy and also phone Tommy Faulkner Deputy re 3rd drift substation. Discuss JH re Load Haul Dump side tip FSV needed. Also re 9s Support Rules and method of work. Discuss J Lyons re substation.

Sat 25 … 18677 tonnes

Mon 27 … Office … Progress and Incentive measures. Plotted 14s levels. Phone WEBB various. Info to D Lees re Vertical Bunker take out conveyor. Info to Derek Flear head Blacksmith re RSJs to hold 10 tons over 16 feet span (+12” x 5”). Info re O.S. BM (bench mark) at Whinney Lane School to NCC Surveyor. KFG discuss. Phone G Ison. Stornos from electricians.

Tues 28 … U/g … to 2s B dint and Vertical Bunker, setting lines for frustrum … 3 men (RB*, PGS and Stuart N Whittle Planner). Discuss K Hartwell … Office … Notice for KF Greaves Safety Engineer.

Wed 29 … U/g … Visit with Neil Singleton (schoolboy from Dukeries Comp) re work experience. To 33s panel and various … Office … Discuss his findings. CW S re Paper on Heading machines. Jack Storr Thoresby phoned re info to come across. Discuss Ian Shaw Thoresby instead. Phone JR Greasley.
Retirement Party for Stan Brunskill at Clipstone Welfare.
Thurs 30 … Office … Instruction with Neil Singleton Schoolboy Meeting 2pm Vertical Bunker JS. Infor to Les Abbs Mining Supplies re 9s.