I have been looking at your website (with the detailed book about mining and the museum); and I noticed a mention that you might be able to look up employee miners for Bilsthorpe colliery.

I am currently reading a fascinating book by Robert Waller entitled “The Dunkeries Transformed: the Social and Political Development of a Twentieth Century Coalfield.” It is helping me to understand the big changes of the 1930s that formed the context for my family’s personal history. I do plan to visit the Museum later in September; and hope I can meet one of your ex-miners.

My family history details are as follows:

Samuel Swingewood (my great grandfather) came to Blidworth by 1931 from Stoke-on-Trent (Hanley Deep Pit) to work in the Blidworth colliery.
Within a couple of years he had moved to Bilsthorpe Colliery (about 1935); and after a year or so moved to Sutton-in-Ashfield. By 1939 Census, he is living in Sherwood.

The information from my great aunt (his daughter) was unclear about dates.

If you have any information (or advice) about Bilsthorpe Colliery employees in the 1930s; and could find evidence he was there, when he arrived and/or when he left, then any of that would be appreciated. I am semi-retired, but would make a small donation for your inconvenience (about £5-00), when I visit the Museum in the Autumn.

Thank you,
Steven Carter.

Hi,

Just like to say how much I have appreciated your website, it is very informative, but enough of that-

We, the Newbold Heritage Group, are setting up an industrial heritage trail at New Lount Nature Reserve, Leicestershire, to tell the story of New Lount Colliery that was previously on this site. As none of us have any direct experience of coal mining, some of what we look at does not always make sense. What I am looking for is an illustration, or illustrations, of what would be the usual layout of the underground works of a colliery similar to New Lount. We have quite a lot of technical detail, but it would make more sense if we understood how the colliery actually worked.

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Hi Fionn,

I recently spotted a picture on the Mines Rescue site of a barge on a wharf in 1849 do you know whereabouts this picture was taken as Trustee of the Cromford Canal I have a great interest in this and any other pictures that you may have because the Pinxton arm is part of that Canal network, and equally if you have any pictures of the Portland tramway from Kirkby's Portland collieries to the wharf at Jacksdale.

Many thanks,

Cllr David Martin

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