A Unique History From My Work Diaries

Surveying Jobs

National Coal Board changed to British Coal

Page - 70 -

Jan 1986

Survey / Safety Liaison
Support Rules … ALL … 1 copy in Covered Accommodation

Panels to be stuck on 8 feet x 4 feet board at or near the lip (keep 2 spare copies on boards ready e.g. visits by higher management and HM Inspectors
Headings ... 1 on a board
Machine type e.g. Dosco, Titan, Eimco ... plus shotfiring pattern if used.

Junctions ... Plan made and signed
Meeting and agreement
Method of work

Back rip / dint
Plan ... plus shotfiring pattern if required
Keep a few copies on boards ready to distribute

Manholes
Plan plus shotfiring pattern
For all gates

To check by Safety department to see that they are displayed.

Notices, Rules etc. to be covered with Transpaseal … or printed on silver ... (rolls ordered alternately, costs to be shared by Survey and Safety depts.)
Notices to be displayed on boards and covered with Transpaseal
Book kept with descriptions etc. etc. in Drawer 24 in the Survey office

Accidents
Notified by phone if after working hours but only if the accident is reportable.
Usually the Surveyor / Deputy / Assistant and Safety Officer / Engineer to meet on the surface and travel together to the site and take necessary measurements of the said accident.
Give the following information to the Surveyor ... Name, address, check number, job, age etc.
Arrange for the Surveyor to read witnesses, statements

Overhead projector and screen
Shared by Survey and Safety depts. and kept in the Survey office safe for security

Noise plan for underground and surface to be kept in the Survey office safe
Laser safety officer to be the Surveyor when lasers in use ... Surveyor R Bradley
Relics Officer ... to accumulate said items for safe keeping and / or pass to museum ... Surveyor R Bradley
Water samples taken by survey, safety or other dept. ... to be in clean bottle. Surveyor R Bradley Water Liaison Officer to arrange samples to go to Mansfield Woodhouse Laboratory for analysis.

Conveyor manriding Information from Survey dept.
Exemptions (from HMI at present D Richards, Turton and Briggs) ... copies to Safety and Survey from Admin Section
Plans for 13(10, 14 (1), 18 (3) etc.

SF6 ... Electrical dept.
15 men exemption etc ... Management
2 fans in one airstream ... Ventilation dept.
Locos...  Mechanical dept.

Write in for re-application, no plan required if no change

Jan 1986

1986 subsidised transport to end of September at 13.0p / mile = £279.60

R Flint Development Days, W McGranaghan Afternoons, G Weeks Nights. KG Fidler Holiday 1 Week.

Wed 1 … New Year’s Day Holiday

Thurs 2 … Office … Correspondence. Quarterly figures. Discuss Ted Hodgson Dirt tips. Discuss Jonah Porter UDM and Andy Stewart MP Newark (Conservative) visit 16s and also discuss Parliament. Discuss B Wells Admin Officer. P Hudson re Incentive figures. Discuss G Ison various. Phone G Ison re Gyro. Calculated and plotted 2s and 14s contours.

Fri 3 … Office … J Stewart Assistant Manager re development … Surface … Survey of No9 Lagoon … 4 men (RB*, PGS, PC, IWS) … Office … Calculated and plotted same. Interview T Connington re absence! Warning. Joiners and Stores Code of Practice. R Flint re 16s LG centre line etc. Discuss Gyro and bases.

Sat 4 … 7556 tonnes

Mon 6 … Office … KG F and CW S re visit to University. CIDS re Capping No1 rope with Resin ... Amends to 35s AW auxiliary fan Rules with ART. Discuss SWH Lindsay Cost Clerk re figures … To University of Nottingham with G Ison and John Stapleton Mansfield Gyro check observations on base line. (4). Lunch. Further Gyro observations (2) … did not agree with December result. To Area HQ met AR Tony) Caunt now Chief Mining Engineer (ex South Notts. and ex Linesman at Pleasley) and reminisce. Discuss Jerry Hancock Senior Surveyor various (ex No4 Area Group Surveyor and Surveyor at Newstead).

Tues 7 … Office … Second copy plans. Electrical negs to date. Phone various xxx. Several plan updating. AR Tryner discuss ventilation. Steve Mudd check 1/10000 plan. KG F re NUM and NACODS re siting of offices. Plans for KG F re same … Surface … Measurements with PC … Office … Plotted 3rd drift. Discuss various and 16s.
Paula Lesh failed to get to work because of deep snow.

Wed 8 … Office … Check calculations for 3rd drift and Pit bottom. CW S re coal in 3rd drift … shown him the section of strata. Check calculations various.

Thurs 9 … Office … JS re development. Bar chart for 16s stage loader. KG F Wall plan. HMI Reports. Meeting 2pm Capital Investment, Manpower Savings and Development DS Widdowson. Discuss MDC development. CW S signed 35s Electrical installation.

Fri 10 … E Hodgson re surface and underground. KG F re scale and what was 3rd drift grade. Surface plan … Surface … Measured up Dosco Dintheader with PC and IWs … checked the drawing … Office … G Ison with Gyro results. Calculating Gyro results as check. E Hodgson re coal stocking grounds.

Sat 11 … 22048 tonnes

Mon 13 … Office … Calculations for Gyro. Shafts drawings for info and updating. Discuss shafts PN and CIDS. Phone Civil Engineers Area HQ re same, Phone S Mudd re KG F and 3s plan. Auxiliary Fan Rules for 2s scour. Ventilation plan amends for 35 AW fan.

Tues 14 … Office … Colouring surface plans. With G Ison recalculating Gyro results and agreed +20 seconds. … Surface … Checking number of car parking spaces … 2 men (RB*, PC) … Office … Phoned G Hemmingway Architect re same. Meeting 33s seismic survey KG Fidler. Discuss John Gregson re same. Ted Hodgson re surface amends. S Mudd development.

Wed 15 … Office … Finished off Gyro info and check. Discuss P Hurst. S Mudd re Action programme. Discuss B Wells. Discuss PN. Discuss W Hurst re Pit bottom pumps. Andy Liney re ventilation. Discuss CW S … to Area HQ to fetch some printing paper.

Thurs 16 … U/g … to new Pit bottom Pump house with Sam Pepper at top of Return drift. To 35s AW heading. 16s face chocking. 35s LG Junction with snicket … Office … Meeting TJK … I explained to 33s men re seismic survey procedure for Thurs 23 Jan. Adjusting Optical plummet with PC. Discuss KF Greaves. CW S signed 2s scour Auxiliary fan ventilation plan.

Fri 17 … Office … E Hodgson re coal stocks. Phoned info to Marketing Manager Alf Parkin’s Secretary. Phone G Ison re British Rail cutting at Wellow. Phoned back re volume. Phone G Dodds re coal stocks. Continued with 16s face calculations. Discuss Jack Lyons re 16s MMD visit. KFG various. Same with P Noone. E Hodgson re coal tipping. Sorting out 3rd drift offsets etc. re 1/500 scale plan.

Sat 18 … 22463 tonnes

Mon 20 … Office … Surface plan. Brian Wormald’s Funeral. Discuss ART 3rd drift 4 fans. Correspondence. Phone Method Study re 16s start? G Ison exchanged second copy plans. Updating write up for Risk Assessment folder. CW Standage re Subsidence claim procedure for himself at Kingston Drive, Ollerton. J Haworth Dowty re 4/300 chock drawing.
Phoned Don Concannon Labour MP for Mansfield re visit to Parliament and because of his neck problem to contact Andy Stewart Conservative MP for Newark, which I did.

Tues 21 … Office … Additions to surface plan. CIDS re 3rd drift again. Brian Goacher Welder re chocks. J Lyons re 16s tonnages. E Hodgson re surface various. 1/10000 plan to D Smitham Asst. Elec. John Gregson and boss of Seismic team discuss. Meeting 2pm Pre Strategic Plan CW S and DSW. Meeting 3.30pm Additional Airways 3rd drift DS Widdowson. Discuss SN Whittle.

Wed 22 … Office … J Lyons re 2s scour. Discuss KG F and CW S re informing HMI re 33s seismic survey. CIDS re 35s turns. Updating 1/10560 Risk Assessment plans. Discuss Martin Sly and Andrew Higginson re Dirt tips and British Rail (old LNER) cutting volume. Phone KG F re 9s proc head. Coloured print of 3rd drift strata section for J Stewart and discuss and explained. Discuss KFG various.

Thurs 23 … Office … Bilsthorpe exchange tracing 1/10560 to date. Phone G Ison Gyro results o.k. U/g … Measured out marks for 33s face seismic survey … 4 men (RB*, PGS, PC, IWS) … finished 3.30pm. TJK re 33s centre lines. Phone C Thorne Geologist re roof coal in PG. Drawings for J Lyons for 16s LG.  (765 + 11 u/g)

Fri 24 … Office … Updating Risk Assessment plan negs ready for printing. ART and KFG re 35s re-entry. Discuss KG F re 1s re-entry. G Mayne re borehole through into 1s AW from 35s AW head. J Lyons re various. KG F discuss re 1s re-entry at LG end … Jim Stewart came in and accused us of ‘conspiracy’! … the man’s a total idiot! Discuss KFG. Drew out section.

Sat 25 … 23582 tonnes

Sun 26 … Meeting 9.30am … Canteen … All Supervisors etc. … KG Fidler, (RB)

Mon 27 … Office … Phone Bill Fox Creswell. MDC re Strategic Plan … Surface … I went to MMD factory at Cotes Park with Jack Lyons, Charlie ID Swinscoe and Len Tipple Area HQ to see equipment for 16s LG and AW end layout. Lunch at the Anchor. Set up an arch and measures. Discuss.

Tues 28 … Office … Risk Assessment negs finished. D Lees conveyors and info. KG F plan of same. With IW Smith sorted out calculations, starting co-ordinates etc. Drew out 16s measurements from MMD visit. Phone J Lyons from MMD. Later J Lyons re 16s again. Risk Assessment file report updated and typed. Ted Hodgson re surface re-organisation … plan. Discuss KG F re 1s re-entry. Discuss P Noone re 16s.

Wed 29 … Office … IWS re accident Peter Crawford. Drew out sections1s AW and 35s LG etc. Discuss TJ Knott U/m re conveyors lines. Manager’s Wall plan Phone Thoresby. Phone Bilsthorpe. Various. Discuss CW S. Phone Area HQ books. Meeting 3pm Pre Strategic Plan CW S. Signed accident plan for P Crawford drawn by IWS.

Thurs 30 … Area HQ … Annual Meeting of Surveyors … CJ Whyte.

Fri 31 … Office … Derek Hunter Area Mech discuss re 16s LG end. Discuss John Raine Area Geologist various. To Area HQ … Meeting 3.30pm Strategic Plan CW S, KG F, RB.

February 1986

Sat 1 … Office … Info to Steve WH Lindsay Cost Clerk. Heating Engineers in Bathroom, check. Plans. Discuss D Stockham work plan. 24057 tonnes

Mon 3 … Office … Heating off … due to Bathroom installation … cold … Phone R Worsey re offices. Discuss KG F. Sections of 35s LG for CW S. Prints coloured for HMI F Turton visit, agreed 3m cover at 1s AW. Phone G Ison re Ompton Pumping station pillar.

Tues 4 … Office … CW S re 35s LG cover … 3m as 1s AW. Discuss KFG. Discuss W Hurst telephones and new plan. KG F re 16s document for men. Discuss IWS re PG and Pit bottom bases coupling. Phone JRG Mine water figures from D Mapley PPM.

Wed 5 … U/g … Offset survey of 2s LG from 2700m inbye. 2s inbye scour plan. TJK re Deputy at 16s re centre lines etc. … 3 men (RB*, PGS, PC) Discuss JS, MDC and SM visit. Level grade line to go on at 2s scour. Drawing out 16s info for booklet. Phone R Mallory, Bretby re visit for info re TH and PG gate convergence.

Thurs … Office … Info ready. Discuss R Mallory Bretby re TH panels and PG 1s etc. for gate convergence. Meeting 2pm Capital Investment, Manpower Savings and Development DS Widdowson This is where he tried to ridicule me by saying ‘There’s a Surveyor here who states on this sheet that there is no floor dirt on 2s. There isn’t a pit in the country that doesn’t cut dirt at the face ... but ... according to the Surveyor Ollerton has managed it.’ I let him carry on for a while digging it in while the rest of the meeting sat bemused waiting for me to squirm and then I dropped him right in it …’Excuse me Mr Widdowson but you are reading the wrong column on the sheet, there is 15 cms of floor door dirt but the column you are referring to with no dirt is … middle dirt … and there is none because there is 2.2m of clean coal’ ... He realised he had cocked up and threw the paper up in the air and said ‘The sheet wants redesigning’. Everybody round the conference table followed me as I burst out laughing. He coloured up somewhat and glared then hurried through the meeting as quick as possible. All and sundry kept popping in to my office to laugh about it.

Fri 7 … Office … Drawing of 16s Chock shield. Phone KG F. Drawing of 3rd drift section. Discuss CW S same also re Communications Exercise. Phone John Walls, Welbeck re laser ... NO! Discuss P Noone Deputy Elec. Drawing 16s LG end. Drafting out. Discuss R Sneade Deputy Elec.

Sat 8 … 24067 tonnes
Paula L Lesh Tracer married Mick Young Deputy Mechanical Engineer.
Sat 8 … Office … Paper for CW S
Paula L Young holiday 1 week. R Flint 16s Days. IW Smith Course at Graham House 2 weeks.

Mon 10 … Office … Compiling info for 16. Discuss KG F re 16s paper and communications. K Willings re pipe bend at 33s AW for gas. Discuss Benny Wells. Auxiliary Ventilation Rules for 35s LG. CW S re same. Phone CIDS re 2s E Conveyor drive new position.
New Rotation Cutting Table for prints … o.k.

Tues 11 … U/g … Checking 31s LG centre line with dial. No1 Pit bottom raft and Junction underneath … 3 men (RB*, PGS, PC) … Office … Phone PJ Butts re Following Intake 3 conveyor line. Meeting 3.30pm 2s Refurbishment KG Fidler. G Ison re new optical plummet and demo.

Wed 12 … Office … Colouring Risk Assessment plans. Phone Roy Garrett Newstead re 35s re-entry procedure and sent copy. Electrical plan info to date with Ken Allison, Shift charge Engineer. KG F re ‘Letraset’. Drew out Following Intake section near 16s / 35s.

Thurs 13 … IT MUST HAVE BEEN A MIRACLE DAY … NOT ONE VISITOR, QUERY OR PHONE CALL FROM ANYBODY! .... It had never EVER happened before … !!!!
Office ... Inking in Working plans. Calculations. Plotting etc. Continued ...

Fri 14 … Office … Finished colouring Risk Assessment plans and put in folder. Info for 16s book. Amended drawing for 16s machine. Discuss Ray Keeton Area HQ re 35s proposed extraction (1.9m) including floor dirt. Plotted 3rd drift. Notice for KFG re No Riding on Following Intake 3 before 31s gate. Electrical plans, updating negatives.

Sat 15 … 25276 tonnes
KG Fidler holiday 1 week. R Flint 16s

Mon 17 … Office … General. With CW S going through video script and 16s Set up script. Also Risk Assessment folder signed. Drawings for finalising script. J Lyons re 16s face document. CJ Whyte and Bob Draper, discuss P Critchley to Subsidence dept. Label for B Wells.

Tues 18 … Office … CW S re paper and staff, also re burst in No1 shaft.
Tues 18 … U/g … to No1 sump drift, measurements to water level. To new substation. Info on drawing. Office … Discuss M Young. Info from D Mapley PPM. Info to date for 16s folder and discuss JL. Info to date for Water Report. JR Greasley re sending info to update the Report. Discuss MD Clarke Planner.

Wed 19 … Holiday … By train … To Houses of Parliament, Commons and Lords
escorted by Andy Stewart MP for Newark and Sherwood. With Mary, Fred and Pat.

Thurs 20 … U/g … 35s AW and LG, 16s face checked sprocket etc. … 2 men (RB*, PGS) … Office … Discuss CW S re development. Discuss CW S and JS re 3rd drift … just hit Parkgate seam.

Fri 21 … Office … Phone Jack Storr Thoresby. Phone Walter Cantrill Clipstone. Phone G Ison re plummet. Discuss PN. Info for CW S re depths and borehole info for future re Rescue bores if needed. CW S re 3rd drift PG section. Discuss G Ison. 3 Retirement certificates.

Sat 22 … 24015 tonnes

NCB pay offer 4.8% plus service holidays … 1 day for 20 years, 2 days for 30 years and 3 days for 35 years.

Mon 24 … Office … Discuss IW Smith re course at Graham House. All progress measures etc. etc. from all Linesmen by phone, charts etc. Incentive figures … Doug Stockham who always does it, holiday for the day. Discuss KG F various. Charts. Discuss Albert E Robinson (75) called in. Meeting 3pm Additional Airways 3rd drift DS Widdowson. Discuss Willie McGranaghan development. Discuss MD Clarke. Phone G Austin Bilsthorpe re various … Surface … to see Dosco Dintheader with Malcolm D Clarke Planner.
PG Shaw sick for 2 weeks Mon 24 –Sat 8 March

Tues 25 … Office … Phil Martin UDM re 3rd drift. Phone CW S re Phil Critchley leaving to Area HQ. Discuss KG F re Dosco Dintheader and my staff situation. Prints … Surface … measured up Dosco Dintheader … 2 men (RB*, PC) also P Noone re cables. Discuss 35s. R Flint re 16s and proposed cabinet for development plans. 16s AFC running. Discuss PN, RS, SH same.

Wed 26 … Office … Discuss work. HMI Sam Briggs and KG Fidler re 16s. Discuss Jack Gelsthorpe Training Officer. L Guy re 2s chock line for June 1985. Discuss PN. Discus PC, SH re 16s cables.

Thurs 27 … Office … Info re boreholes. Calculated Dirt tip results for 1984 / 1985 with Planimeter. Discuss CW S various and Course, Signed Dirt tip records. Discuss Ted Hodgson Dirt tips and underground. Prints.
RIDDOR (Reporting of Incidents, Deaths and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations

Fri 28 … Office … Discuss No1 Pit bottom connection. Phone R Hunt Head Weighman re coal stocks audit, 6,000 tonnes doubles and SpG. Plotting 3rd drift section. Phone CW S re development advances. Phone G Austin and Graham Kemp Bilsthorpe re Tacheo. R & FF amends. Check plotting levels etc. for No1 Pit bottom connection with IWS.
Jack M Storr Thoresby Surveyor and Walter Cantrill Clipstone Surveyor retired (ironically and sadly both would die in April 2019 aged 88)
R Driscoll Admin Clerk transferred to Thoresby, Wages dept.

March 1986
Sat 1 … Office … Phone Matt Marshall Stores re 35s face supports. R Flint re plans in folders for development and Wall plan put up. 23016 tonnes
Capped No2 shaft winding rope with Resin first time, instead of traditional white metal.

Mon 3 …Office … Retirement certificates. Discuss 35s AW haulage house. Phone CW S re development. Discuss DS Widdowson, Production Manager, re panel life and replacement. Jack Lyons re Bathroom and lockers. Amending plan of 16s for 35s AW. R Flint re same. Area HQ progress. Phone David Snodin Planner. CW S signed 35s AW engine house plan.
Retirement Party at Clipstone Welfare for Jack Storr and Walter Cantrill

Tues 4 … U/g … 3rd drift survey EDM and Bench mark checks … 4 men (RB*, PC, CI, AC) … Office … Discuss E Hodgson re surface. MDC and SM re planning. Phone Jerry Hancock re optical plummet to send back again.  (770 + 11 u/g)

Wed 5 … Office … General. Calculations. Phone Peter Cocking PPM re water figures in gallons or litres? Discuss BW Stones re Deputy’s course. Meeting 3pm Offices and Car park for Presentation KG Fidler, Harry Parrott, J Talbot, G Walsh, P Downing, RB. Discuss J Allen.
BACM Meeting … amalgamated North and South Notts. Branches.

Thurs 6 … Office … RA Caunt CME called in for a chat and wanted Pen and ink for family. Calculated and plotting 3rd drift section etc. for 2s scour showing dintheader and air ducting. Eprnest struts and info. T Miller Deputy on 2s a plan. 2 fans in one airstream plan for 25s. Plotted 3rd drift coal. Discuss KG F. CW S signed plan.

Fri 7 … Office … Phone Ray Fish Method Study re surface lagoons etc. Phone G Austin Bilsthorpe. Ventilation plan for BW Stones for Worksop Tech College … Surface … with E Hodgson and Charlie ID Swinscoe new Heapstead and proposed concrete area near No2 shaft. Also possible Home Coal garage … Office … J Hayes Method Study all paddy rides and walks etc. to all panels and headings. Phone PG Shaw at home, to come back Monday. Finished plan. Discuss 3rd drift / 2s scour. Calculating and plotting. R Flint re 16s face bad work. Discuss MD Clarke Planner re structure of the pit to 3 faces and to lose 55 men.

Sat 8 … 23508 tonnes

Mon 10 … Office … Discuss Geoff Austin Bilsthorpe … Surface … Gridded out and levelled below No2 level … 4 men (RB*, PGS, PC, IWS). Calculated and plotted same. Discuss same Ted Hodgson. Phone MDC re 16s, 33s and 2s. Phone Herbert Shaw Sherwood re wanted plan for Manor Farm … o.k.

Tues 11 … Office … Discuss Ted Hodgson extra re surface. Info Steve WH Lindsay re 2s, 33s and 16s face kits. Meeting 10am – 12.25pm Planning the pit KG Fidler, MDC, RB, AL, JS and Ray Fish. Meeting 12.30pm – 1.25pm Large Excavations J Stewart 35s LG and AW. Meeting 1.30pm – 3.15pm Capital Investment, Manpower Savings and Development DS Widdowson. Discuss Ted Hodgson No2 Heapstead.

Wed 12 … Office … Discuss and calculations with IWS re 3rd drift catenary. Fred Gieves Hollybank discuss. Meeting 12.30pm – 3.00pm Development JS, RF, RB … Discuss Benny Wells. Discuss CJ Whyte re staff. Discuss PG Shaw and P Critchley.

Thurs 13 … Office … KG F re Junction package. Phone George Simms Deputy Surveyor Hucknall re Junctions. WMcG re Following Intake No2 conveyor. Ted Hodgson, D Walton Civil Engineer re No2 Pit top and etc. Discuss Annesley Junction plans. JS, RF and D Lees re 31s face conveyor site, also 18/19 ft arches. CW S re 3rd drift catenary, explained the grade changes.
New Bathroom in offices operational. Now an outside door entrance in dirty clothes and lockers, through to existing shower and lockers and exit door into corridor as before.

Fri 14 … Discuss W McGranaghan … Plans for 33s AW machine and Following Intake conveyor back rip. Durham Ox for Lunch CW S signed Following Intake plan. Plotted 3rd drift.

Sat 15 … 24013 tonnes
Phil Critchley transferred to Subsidence dept. at Area HQ. Willie McGranaghan (WMcG) appointed Undermanager at Clipstone. Joe L Ottewell (JLO) Assistant Manager at Hucknall transferred to Safety Engineer Ollerton.

Sun 16 … Meeting 10am in Canteen KG Fidler and CW Standage, RB, re 14s men to transfer to 16s panel, and document.
Ray Flint Acting Assistant Manager

Mon 17 … Office … Incentive figures. Met Joe L Ottewell (JLO) with Ken F Greaves (KFG) Safety Engineers and discuss. Phone Ian Saunders Caledonian to make appointment. Discuss JT Knott re gates. Info to CIDS re 1s AW paddy extension. 2 Retirement certificates. Discuss Ian Saunders Sales Director Caledonian re arches.

Tues 18 … Office … 1/5000 neg to date. Prints for JLO and 1/25000 and list. CW S and KG F re Rep Caledonian. Wall plans to date. 33s 150m mark notification … Surface … with Ted Hodgson and IW Smith … set out grade line for tub track below No2 Heapstead. List of Personnel and list of Deputies. Discuss P Noone. Discuss KFG and JLO.

Wed 19 … Office … Correspondence. Checked 31s for 1s AW boreholes etc. Discuss D Stockham work. Discuss JLO. KG F discuss re possible new type single beam stage loader. Prints. CW S and KG F re Caledonian bracket. Retirement certificates. Discuss MD Clarke and S Mudd planning. Letter to CJ Whyte re staff. Discuss MF Whittle Estates. Discuss CG.

Thurs 20 … U/g … to 35s AW EH head 55 up 8’ 0”. To 16s LG, measures for stage loader and conveyor. To 16s face fall. Discuss same with Eric Fletcher O/m … Office … Plotting out 16s stage loader. Discuss PN. Plotted 3rd drift / 2s scour levels, calculated contours and grades and checks.

Fri 21 … Office … AR Tryner re ventilation doors. Updating Ventilation plans. Discuss MDC and SM re the planning changes at the pit. Hector Whelan Method Study info re Dirt tip lagoon filling. Discuss SM1 forms etc. with JLO. KG F re 33s chocks heights etc. and proposed new type stage loader with single beam. SM1 notice re Methane boreholes 31s LG and snicket and CW S signed.

Sat 22 … 24088 tonnes
TJ Knott holiday Mon 24 Mar – Sat 5 Apr. Gordon Weeks Acting U/m. R Flint Acting Assistant Manager

Mon 24 … Office … Correspondence. Wall plans … Surface … Checked rail level for stockyard extension to Workshops … 2 men (RB*, IWS) … Office … Checking through old roll plans for possible Pit bottom heading!? Discuss JLO and KG F. Coloured SM1 plans for 31s LG. To Area HQ Discuss G Ison and J Hancock.

Tues 25 … Office … Annual seam sections. Correspondence. PIs (Production Instructions) sorted out. Phone Area HQ Stationery office. Jack Gelsthorpe Training Officer Support Rules reductions for 9s and 16s. KG F re 14s finishing. Discuss SM new plan for 17s. CW S re MS1 form for 14s (to inform me of a working finished … Like all surveyors you send the form to yourself by getting the Manager to sign it). Info for 14s and 2s levels etc. Adjusting Vertical angle on dial and checking. 14s finished coaling.

Wed 26 … U/g … 14s abandonment survey and dialled through face … 5 men (RB*, PGS, IWS, DS, RF) … Office … Calculations. Meeting 3pm Additional Airways DS Widdowson. Discuss MDC and SM and SNW. Phone G Ison re scalings.

Thurs 27 … Office … Continued discuss MDC and SM. Phone P Critchley Area HQ Subsidence re info. Plotted 14s abandonment survey.
Lunch Party for Ken F Greaves and Willie McGranaghan
Office … Info to Fred Gieves Hollybank. Discuss JLO. Phone John Stapleton Mansfield Deputy. Phone Tony Wright Clipstone Deputy re promotion to Surveyor for the mine at Cotgrave and Clipstone.

Fri 28 … Office … Drawing of arch for 35s face entry. Notices for Pit Head Baths Peter Hurst. Notice for Ventilation dept. Info from G Mayne re Pit bottom stoppings. Phone Ian Shaw Thoresby re promotion to Surveyor. Phone Andrew Higginson Area Civils. Discuss Eric W Fretwell, Phil Critchley and M Flintham Subsidence dept.
Farewell to Ken F Greaves Safety Engineer retired and Paula L Young left on maternity leave.

Sat 29 … Office … Cleaning office. Wall plans. Phone KG F re 16s check line. 23543 tonnes
Output for 1985 -1986 = 971,825 tonnes Profit £10,062,000
Mon 31 Mar and Tues 1 Apr Statutory holidays.
Linda Stockham (Doug’s daughter) started as a Typist and Irene Armstrong upgraded to Clerk.

April 1986
TJ Knott holiday Wed 2 – Sat 5. J Stewart holiday Wed 2 - Thurs 10 Apr. Gordon Weeks Acting U/m. Ray Flint Acting Assistant Manager.

Wed 2 … Office … Scaling tracings and calculations. Info to Des Dutton and Mick Hole Gullick Reps re 35s face line for quote. Meeting 2pm 2s Refurbishing CID Swinscoe RB. SWH Lindsay re scalings info.

Thurs 3 … Office … JLO discuss, Phone G Ison and DS Widdowson re arches ordered 31s / 35s. Second copy plans to date. Tracings started on others. Discuss SWH Lindsay 3rd drift etc. SM1 forms and check re phone Silverhill. KG F re ordering arches.

Fri 4 … Office … CW S re list of SM1 forms / plans sent and planed. Also re 116s check line. Phone I Saunders Caledonian, met KG F and discussed arches for 35s etc. 1/10560 plan to date. Safety device and Junction. RF re shotfiring pattern for 31s LG. Lenny Clarke O/m re same. MS1 form with CW S and sent to HMI re 31s LG SM1 form.

Sat 5 … 12104 tonnes

CW S holiday Mon 7 – Sat 12. KG F Acting Manager… R Fint Acting Assistant Manager till Thurs 10. G Weeks Days.

Mon 7 … Office … Incentive measures. RF re Support Rules for 31s LG, 2 arches. Info re old panels to MM Sinha IOM Edinburgh ... Info to KG F re 33s face head. Phone G Ison re another Kern Auto level from Pye Hill o.k. CJ Whyte re CA Fegan, Discuss JLO. Phone Hollybank re 8” x 6” cannot roll! ... Phone BW Stones Worksop re plans for Deputies o.k. Amends to Support Rules for 31s LG and prints. Discuss G Ison. Repairing tapes.

Tues 8 … U/g … to 2s scour, section etc. (installing dint header). To Pit bottom tanks. Discuss Ken Cross Deputy. Phone ET Mech re 31s Conveyor calculations … Office … Discuss KG F re 2 lads at Whitsuntide. Also No1 connection method of work. Discuss JLO various and Pit bottom proposed stoppings. Inked in plans.

Wed 9 … Office … Phone KG F re vend figures again. Calculations. WEB Barlow and Gordon Bennett British Rail re plans to date and discuss. Phone KG F x 2 re SM1 borehole positions HMI S Briggs re same and sketch. Ventilation plans to date. Phone E.T. Mech re 2s conveyors and calculations for same. Fred Gieves Hollybank re arches. RF re 31s LG shotfiring pattern and exemptions etc. JL re 31s Introduction of Electricity. JLO re exemptions. 2 notices re Danger Electrical tackle interference. Phone MDC re new plan and schedule.

Thurs 10 … Office … Phone Garry JD Hall Sutton re Overtime etc. ? Electrical negs to date. KG F re calculation for vends again. Made overlay tracing for Bilsthorpe Low Main under PG 10s. Phone Keith Jenkins Thoresby re 112s plan. 1/5000 General neg to date. Discuss 3rd drift / 2s seam thirl levels. Bar chart for R Flint for 14s salvage.

Fri 11 … Office … Thoresby workings on 3rd drift sheet. Began stencilling on Introduction of Electricity plan for 31s. CJ Whyte discuss help with staff. Support plan for Dosco dintheader at 2s scour. Phone G Ison and he fetched negative. Phone G Ison re 3 days to do plan. KG F re plan 2s scour for HMI F Turton. J Stewart re same. Amends and prints. Chart from S Mudd to Area HQ to fetch tracing.

Sat 12 … Office … 31s Introduction of Electricity negative. 23227 tonnes
Ray Flint holiday 1 week. G Weeks Days

Mon 14 … Office … Introduction of Electricity into 31s panel finished. Checked over same with Jack Lyons. Drawing for G Weeks re 16s AW re sleeving. Phone A Liney re 31s ventilation and 17s re 1s. Prints for 31s Elec introduction.

Tues 15 … Office … Colouring print for 31s Introduction of electricity. Info re 14s salvage to Mech ET at Area HQ. Small (large actually) scale plan to date for KG F for Newspaper. Discuss JLO. Inking in 3rd drift section. Completed colouring 31s Electrical application. Scalings for tonnage check with SL and phoned through to G Ison. Phone Andy Liney requests re 4th drift and also 17s script.

Wed 16 … Office … Discuss JLO re accident at Woodlands … NOT in colliery curtilage. 3rd drift section. Discuss TJ Knott U/m various and grade line wanted. Phone KG F re check line at 16s. Info to Ted Hodgson re cables at back of No2 shaft top. Info to John Gretton welder. Meeting 2pm Capital Investment, Manpower Savings and Development DS Widdowson. Discuss MDC, SM and AL. Report to KG F re Precautions against Inrushes and discuss.

Thurs 17 … U/g … Check on centre line and positions of girders in No1 Pit bottom connection. George Case re 31s / 35s arches … Office … Plotted same. Info to 2 Potential Deputies from Bevercotes plus Support Rules plans. Checked through 31s LG MS1 form. 35s LG section re HMI F Turton 3m cover over 1s AW and Pit bottom Connection, with Jonah Porter UDM and Ken Cross NACODS. CW S re same.

Fri 18 … Office … General. Correspondence. SM1 form and plan for Pit bottom and 4th drift drivage, Discuss JLO various. Checked through Meeting minutes for LS. Info to Method Study re advances. JK Hayter Fire Officer re surface FF plan and up to date info.

Sat 19 … 23400 tonnes
TJ Knott holiday 2 weeks. G Weeks Acting U/m to Wed 23 then R Flint Acting U/m

Mon 21 … Office … Incentive figures. Coloured Wall plans and distributed. Manager’s Wall plan … Surface … Set out new Emergency Winder base … 3 men (RB*, PGS, IWS) … Office … Figures for CW S and DS Widdowson re 9s finish and 33s and 35s start. Plan for 17 men exemption in 35s AW and face. Additions to 4th drift SM1 plan, form typed.

Tues22 … Office … Bilsthorpe workings exchange tracings. Phone G Austin. Phone Dave Miller Ops Mech Engineer wanted info re shafts. Tracings on 1/10560 and 1/5000 for Bilsthorpe. Discuss JLO various. Plans coloured for 17 man exemption for 35s and CW S. Discuss Steve Mudd Planner various.

Wed 23 … Office … Prints coloured for 4th drift SM1. CIDS re shaft work done by ATT in No1 shaft. Discuss JS re arches etc. Phone KG F re 10 year plan. Phone CJ Whyte re staff.

Annual Leave Thurs. 24 Apr – Wed 7 May Rhodes

Sat 26 … 23912 tonnes
John P Berry Deputy Director Mining transferred to Eastwood Hall.
CW S holiday 1 week. KG F Acting Manager. TJ Knott U/m holiday 1 week. R Flint Acting U/m.
JHC Longden transferred from South Midlands as Deputy Director Mining for Nottinghamshire Area.

Now British Coal Instead of NCB

R Flint holiday Mon May Day 5 – for 2 weeks to Sat 17. J Stewart holiday Mon 5 – Mon 19. G Weeks Acting Assistant Manager for development.

May 1986

Sat 3 … 22822 tonnes
Annual Leave to Wed 7

Thurs 8 … Office … Discuss work up date with PGS. Discuss JLO re update. Phone John Wilson Subsidence re schoolboy for job experience at end of June. Discuss S Mudd re proposed planning changes. Discuss J Lyons and P Noone update.

Fri 9 … Office … Amended Egress plan in Covered accommodation for 14s. Discuss G Weeks development grades. Discuss JLO. Discuss D Walton Civils re No2 Heapstead. Discuss Geoff Mayne re Ventilation plan update. Discuss 2s E C/v.

Sat 10 … 18190 tonnes
Moved to No4 Dirt tip for Summer tipping.
Ray Flint holiday 1 week. J Stewart holiday 1 week to Tues 20. G Weeks Acting Assistant Manager deployment Days
IW Smith holiday 2 weeks.

Mon 12 … Office … CIDS re 3rd drift. Incentive figures. Phone KG F re 3rd drift engine house. Phone MDC. JLO re stable hole plan. Discuss KG F and S Mudd re 3rd drift timings. Phone CJ Whyte re staff and British Coal name … still NCB. 9s contours to date. Meeting 2.30pm Capital Investment, Manpower Saving and Development DS Widdowson. Discuss KG F, D Lees and PGS re 2s E conveyor position! Plotted No1 Pit bottom levels. Area HQ progress folder.

Tues 13 … Office … Measures and sketches for TJ Knott’s office alterations. Phone G Ison re Parish boundary changes and re scalings for 9s and 33s. Discuss Lijah (Nigel) Pedley various. Methane drainage plans to date. Plotted levels for 3rd drift, 2s, 33s and 35s. Discuss S Mudd re planning changes. Discuss TJK various.

Wed 14 … Office … Phone A Liney vent. ART and GM re Pit bottom stoppings. Phone GW re floor lift at 3rd drift. Amending machine cut stable hole plan1471B to Chock shields. Discuss L Guy Rep E Hodgson re Dirt tips and No2 Heapstead. Phone CW S re 1528A exemption. Discuss Ken Cross Deputy East No1 dint. TJK re 2s E c/v. Discuss HMI F Turton re plans for 35s face exemption using Caledonian arches. Phone CW S re same x 2. JLO re same. Figures to date from E Hodgson’s books for Dirt tips. Discuss J Gregson re 2s face seismic survey for 12 June 1986.

Thurs 15 … Office … Phone CW S and updated his Wall plan. Discuss Ropemen Roy Darby and P Houghton re installation. Also JLO same. JKH re Fire Certificate. Discuss John Ryan re Deputies. Discuss G Ison Parish boundaries. SNW re Junction at 3rd drift base. Discuss D Muller Geologist re 3rd drift. CW S re 4th drift / Pit bottom SM1 notice signed. JLO and plan for Temporary stable hole. RT Keeton and R Painter Gullick Rep re number of chocks for 35s … check 165.

Fri 16 … Office … Various. Discuss Barry Shephard Dust Suppression. TJ Knott U/m re various. Meeting 11am No2 Heapstead DS Widdowson. SM1 sent via Joanne. SNW re 3rd drift base Junction … Surface … to concreted area behind No2 shaft … 2 men (RB*, PGS). Discuss SNW and SM1.

Sat 17 … 27155 tonnes
Eddie Moody Head Joiner retired
CW Standage holiday 1 week, KG Fidler Acting Manager. G Weeks holiday 1 week. R Flint Nights. J Stewart back to Assistant Manager development.

Mon 19 … Office … Incentive figures. Amendments to Parish boundaries on Working plans. Discuss S Holland. Discuss Geoff Austin Bilsthorpe various. CJ Whyte and Mike Pope Staff dept. came re Tracer to help 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off. Discuss JLO. Discuss SM. 24 Redundancies.

Tues 20 … Office … Discuss S Holland and App/ Brenda Davidson Sister re plan of Pit for the Doctor o.k. Discuss JLO Safety Engineer. Temporary Support Rules plan for 2s AFC change. Phone Les Boyles Deputy could hear 2s paddy moving whilst in 3rd drift. G Mayne phone re Andy Liney 2s AW / 3rd drift bougeeing. Discuss PG Shaw and D Stockham No1 Pit bottom. A Connington re lack of attendance ... warning. To Joiners re various … Office … Tony Brown Pit bottom Deputy re old road, (3rd drift engine house escape road). Discuss S Mudd 31s and 33s plans and I signed them.

Wed 21 … Office … CIDS, D Miller, K Rutherford re 3rd drift engine house. Discuss John Ryan. Phone SM. Benny Wells re Pit sinking info for Jonah Porter UDM. 17s SM1 form made out. P Noone re overhead lines at 31s. JS various and SM. Meeting 2s seismic survey KG Fidler, J Gregson, RB, for 12 June. Query 31s face A Revill. Plotted 3srd drift levels and section etc. KG F re 33s chock withdrawal. Phone WEBB re NCB name. With PGS checked No1 Pit bottom calculations. Phone G Austin Bilsthorpe re various.

Thurs 22 … Office … Constructing plan for 17s SM1. Discus L Stevens re shotfiring pattern (to retire tomorrow), J Parkin taking over. Phone various xxx. JLO discuss. Prints. Meeting KG Fidler Commissioning 3rd / 4th drifts. Phone JR Greasley re extension to coal stock … Surface … to Bilsthorpe for model for drawing off Chock Shields. Discus G Austin and Graham Kemp and G Ison. Discuss KG Fidler.

Fri 23 … Office … Model demonstration. Discuss new Time sheets for Linesmen. CIDS re weight of Chock Shield. Discuss JL Ottewell. Discuss JK Hayter fire equipment. Discuss E Hodgson surface and underground. SM re 1/5000 plan. Discuss J Stewart re 3rd drift visit by HMI. And 35s visit by DS Widdowson Production Manager. Demonstration of Bilsthorpe model for Chock Shield withdrawal to KG F, TJK, JS, SM and RS, Figures for Steve WH Lindsay Cost Clerk.

Sat 24 …  23692 tonnes
KG Fidler Deputy Manager holiday 2 weeks. J Stewart holiday 1 week. G Weeks Days. R Flint Nights.

Mon 26 … Bank Holiday … Pit Holidays Third Week

Tues 27 … Office … Incentive figures. Painting. Conveyor belt figures for Mar 1985 and 1986. CW S re development also re Bilsthorpe model and discuss.

Wed 28 … Office … Reorganisation of Filing system in the safe. SM discuss development.

Thurs 29 … Office … Completed Filing system. Discuss TJK re 3rd drift and 3s layout. SM disuse again … Surface … JRG and discuss and meeting on site on Newark Road with residents of Poplar Street re Planning application for coal stocking and banking.

Fri 30 … Office … Photo copies of Bilsthorpe Chock Shield withdrawal. KG F plans to date. Conveyor figures with Peter Longden CPP. Form sent … Surface … to Base … Office … Phone G Austin Bilsthorpe re sharing Tracer … Surface … to Bilsthorpe to return model and discuss. Nil
PG Shaw holiday
Denise Tindale started as a Tracer … sharing duties between Ollerton 2 weeks Bilsthorpe 2 weeks. Because both Geoff Austin and myself being Apprentices together many years ago we still had an affiliation with one another and basically the filing system for plans at both pits was the same … plans in drawers numbered were 1-5, 6-10 … 271-275 eg irrespective of subject but documented and cross filed in a book and card so Denise would have no problem with that. Also the Printing system was same.

June 1986
KG Fidler holiday. G Weeks Days development. R Fint Nights

Mon 2 … Discuss and work routine with Denise Tindale., such as filing etc., etc., etc. Phone P Cocking PPM water figures for out of the pit different ... New clock? Phone Ian Burns Area office re various re surface. Discuss TJK re 35s cam chocks etc. re 2s and 16s.

Tues 3 … U/g … to 35s face head and 35s LG drift. East No1 road and Pit bottom tanks (RB*) … Office … Phone Steve T Barnes Bevercotes re their problems TH and PG … to look at interaction check angles of draw etc. both ways or is it bad ground or crush with depth and pressures etc. Discuss TJ Knott. Plotting and calculations and plotting No1 Pit bottom connection. Discuss JS re same and 3rd drift etc. Discuss Jack Lyons re electrical interference. (775 + 11 u/g)

Wed 4 … U/g … to No1 Pit bottom heading with J Stewart and G Weeks. Discuss Deputy and AR Tryner and G Mayne. Loco rails above. To 3rd drift discuss Deputy and men section etc. and floor lift estimate. Discuss CIDS … Surface with Denise Tindale to familiarise pit yard etc. … Office … Discuss JL re Bathroom and also No1 Pit bottom road. Made out sections. Discuss JLO. MDC re 10 year plan amends and discuss.

Thurs 5 … Surface … set out rail curves to No2 shaft with IWS and E Hodgso Surface Superintendent…. JLO discuss. CW S and John Wardle now Production Manager Witham Prospect re plans and possible access from Ollerton … doubtful. J Lyons re Bathroom again. SM1 form and plan for 17s form to CW S. Discuss S Mudd dev. Discuss TJK, Ray Keeton, D Hunter, R Payter plus Rep from Dowty re Cam packer chock possible errors? at 35s.

Fri 6 … Office … Plotting levels and contours. Discuss J Lyons re 16s. Phone D Hunter 0.5m at 16s. Discuss S Holland. Phone Area Ventilation dept. … message for A Liney. Discuss D Hunter and TJK re 16s 0.5m tip to face o.k. Discuss further with TJK. Plottings to date. JLO re various. Stencilling. Info to Denise Tindale. Discuss J Stewart.

Sat 7 … 22081 tonnes
Call out by Ray Flint 10.30pm … U/g to accident at 16s face to K Headley with JL Ottewell, J Porter and E Vallance UDM … Sat 7 … (48) … Plotted plan … 2am
Working over the weekend at No1 Pit bottom.
TJ Knott holiday 2 weeks. R Flint Acting U/m

Mon 9 … Finished accident plan. Discuss PGS. CW S and KG F re development to date. Meeting TJ Knott re 2s seismic survey, explained to the men. Discuss J Lyons and Peter Curtis re Bathroom. Film show re roof bolting. Discuss JS re No1 Pit bottom connection etc.

Tues 10 …Office … Discuss JLO. Printing accident plans. Info re bench marks etc. to Alan Terry Severn / Trent.
Tues 10 … U/g … to No1 Pit bottom and filling in etc. Discuss Roy Evans (Snowy) Deputy … Office … Plotted same. Drew out Junction at 4th drift and Conveyor Road for possible turns. Discuss J Stewart.

Wed 11 … office … Plotting sections etc. Discuss TJK various … Surface … Checked tub track turn out and grade to No2 shaft … Office … Phone KG F re different extractions at 31s and 35s face head extractions. With Contractors and P Curtiss re Bathroom additions. Checking levels on 35s panel. Discuss J Lyons re 2s. MDC re manpower reduction.

Thurs 12 … Office … Discuss P Noone. Progress plans. JS re Pit bottom … never been asked to work out different methods and cost! Bathroom alterations with Dick Clarke the Bricklayer. Discuss JLO re Temporary stable hole plan. Phone KG F distances to go for 9s and 33s. Phone PGS J Mansfield Stores re steel for chocks. Phone SN Whittle Planner re Junction. Discuss MDC. Meeting 2.30pm Capital Investment, Manpower Savings and Development DS Widdowson. J Stewart re ringing through No1 connection road instead of blocks etc?
2s first seismic survey

Fri 13 … U/g … to No1 Pit bottom connection. Discuss and info … Office … Phone G Ison re base at Ossington for surface boring. Meeting 2pm No1 Pit bottom, method of work J Stewart. Drawing out same. Discuss JS same. CW S signed Pit bottom plan. Phone Andy Liney arranged to come Mon afternoon!

Sat 14 … 23501 tonnes
Joiner working in the Bathroom.

Mon 16 … Office … Retirement certificates. A Liney and AR Tryner re amends to 4th drift SM1 and 17s. Plotted 3rd drift. Discuss Wendy Wain Rep Zenith Survey Equipment. Phone Des Thompson Harworth how do I order paint?

Tues 17 … Office … Discuss re Ossington Aerodrome re possible drilling base. Rehashing 4th drift SM1 with Andy Liney Group Vent Engineer. Also 17s panel Chris Pearce rep for Ozalid discuss. Meeting CW Standage re his imminent retirement. Also re JCH Longden Deputy Director visit. Coloured Manager’s plans.

Wed 18 ... Office ... Finished off various. New Wall plan and backing for CW S.  HMI Sam Briggs and CW S and Ted Hodgson re grades of rails on surface re visit. Phone various queries. Meeting  Development G Weeks, abandoned due to lack of attendance.  HMI S Briggs re Fire Certificate with JLO and discuss various. Plotted 3rd drift progress.  Discuss K Dennis and P Bates Drawing Office re 4th drift Conveyor house etc.  CW S re signing 4th drift SM1 again 17s to send to DS Widdowson Production Manager.

Thurs 19 ... Office ... Discuss various with team.  Updated Deputy's Districts plan with AJ Turner Deputy NACODS. Discuss JK Hayter Fire Officer. Geoff Mayne Vent re fans.  Meeting No2 Heapstead DS Widdowson also re 4th drift and 17s SM1 forms I sent. O.k.  Discuss various.

Fri 20 ... Office ... Check Deputy's District plan with A Jim Turner Deputy. Checking R & FF with DT.  Discuss CW S re various and 33s proposed salvage using roof bolting.
Half day ... Wedding Rachael and Trevor Jones.

Sat 21 … 24,043 tonnes
Gordon Weeks Assistant Undermanager retired.

Mon 23 … Office … Incentive figures. Discuss JLO re Deputy's Districts. Amended negative. Ted Hodgson re level pegs to put on No9 lagoon banks.  Discuss re 35s and 3rd Drift. Stencilling on Deputy’s Districts neg. Steve WH Lindsay re results.

Tues 24 … Office … JS re up to date. Check and amends to Deputy’s Districts neg with AJ Turner. 1/5000 blank to date. Ozaloft for S Holland for bench marks. JLO re 35s and 3rd drift under 2s AW Phone EWF. Phone SM from Area HQ.TJ Knott re water sample from 33s AW lip and phone CI. Phone various xxx. Severn / Trent Surveyor re value and staff borrowed. Updating plans. CW S re 35s. P Noone Gullick in 35s cams Keith? Drawing office. David Oldham Group Elec re Following Intake 2 conveyor.

Funeral … Uncle Lawrence Bradley (7 May 1921 – June 1986 (65))

Wed 25 … Office … Correspondence. Updated 1/5000 general development neg. MDC print and discuss. CW S sketch of 3rd drift / 2s AW re 7’ 0” fall of ground between with hole through, ventilation … short circuit. Meeting JS plus IWS development. JS and TJK re 3rd drift and 2s AW. JS re 35s thirl o.k. KG F re 33s roof bolting memo. Discuss E Hodgson surface. JLO various. Plotted 16s swilley. Phone Keith Jenkins Thoresby re TH abandonment asking advice.
TJ Knott U/m off sick from Thurs 26 June - Wed 21 July. R Flint Acting Undermanager

Thurs 26 … U/g … with JL Ottewell to No1 Pit bottom connection and 3rd drift fall under 2s AW. Discuss J Stewart re timbering up to block the hole. (780 + 11 u/g)
Retirement Party for Gordon Weeks Assistant U/m
Thurs 26 … Office …Discuss 35s face thirl. Discuss re 2s AW falling into 3rd drift heading (perished ground). Updated all R & FF plans, Ventilation plans and distributed … stayed to 6pm.

Fri 27 … Office … Discuss KG F. Prints. Discuss CW S re 3rd drift and 2s AW falling in and correlation o.k. Phoned Printing firm re ammonia for machine. Prints. Phone JS re method of work plan for 3rd drift at weekend. Discuss GR Bryan re America. JS re various. DS re 16s Dosco and 35s. S Knowles and Eric Flint UDM re 4th drift and 17s. Discuss R Sneade and SH re 3rd drift manriding heights etc. RF re 16s Side discharge loader. Fred Gieves Hollybank re Cathedral Junction at 4th drift (Tues). Discuss JS re 4th drift SM1 (returned). Discuss G Ison various and SM1 form.

Sat 28 … 23264 tonnes
Denise Tindale holiday Mon 30 June – 15 July. Schoolboy Howard Lindsay from Comprehensive on work experience.

Mon 30 … Office … Incentive figures. Phoned Lab re 33s AW water … Hydrant water! Phone RF same. A Liney re 4th drift boreholes …. Report and discuss. Colouring plans with Howard Lindsey and discuss survey work … Surface … Visit to pit yard etc. with schoolboy … Office … further discussion. Area HQ progress. Drawing of 16s LG Dosco and mini belt for KG F. Discuss CW S and KG F re 4th drift conveyor etc.