Mansfiled Mines Rescue P3

Mansfield Mines Rescue 1909.

John Jeffrey Street (always called Jeff) died on the 3rd March 2005 at the age of 88. He had devoted all his working life to the Coal Industry, clocking up 49 years service before having to retire early through ill health.

Jeff

He started work down the mines around 1930 at the age of 14 and worked at different pits in the Derbyshire / Nottinghamshire coalfields before joining the Mines Rescue service at Mansfield in the late 1940's. He worked his way through the ranks to eventually become the Superintendent at Mansfield Mines Rescue Station.

At our father’s funeral on 14th March, we were totally overcome by the site of around a dozen of his old colleagues forming a guard of honour in the entrance to the chapel. They had travelled from all over the country to pay their last respects to a man, boss and friend they had laid their lives on the line with and for.

Yours sincerely

Richard Street

From: Mark Oakley
Sent: 16 April 2005
Subject: Ex Mines Rescue Transit

Here is a picky of the transit!
I have only just got it but have had loads of trouble with it!
The engine is a 3ltr v6 and is still having problems!
I am not restoring it as I only bought it to use now and again!
I think it was used at Mansfield as a rescue vehicle!
It has no rescue stuff left and was owned by a builder who never done any work on it attlal!

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From: Roger Chaplin
Sent: 16 May 2005
Subject: Safe entry into confined space, training at Mansfield

Hello Fionn,
I have just finished a two day course at the Mansfield mines rescue centre course called “Safe entry into confined spaces" Part of my development as assistant quarry manager.
We had training on different types of rescue equipment and breathing apparatus, very interesting.
Under the mines rescue centre there are a number of tunnels with various obstruction and varying roof heights, this is where you have to put on your escape set and try to make your way to the surface via a winch through a small manhole, quite a feat in the dark. Brought back memories of various visits to deep mines in the Nott’s area.
My father was a collier at Wollaton and Clifton collieries until their closure. Dad would never let me get a job in the "pits" and told me to get a proper job. So I served an apprenticeship in mechanics and started work in the quarrying industry; mining, but on the surface. We come under the mines and quarry regulations, so I’m not a million miles away from mine work.

Cheer's
Roger.

From: Jan Harris ( formally Jan Hall)
Sent: 21 May 2005
Subject: My dad was a brigadesman at Mansfield Rescue Station and Superintendent at Dinas Mines Rescue Station, Rhondda.

Hello, my dad used to work as a brigadesman at Mansfield rescue station; we lived at 22 Leeming Lane, Mansfield Woodhouse.
About 1972 he took a 3rd officers job at Dinas Mines Rescue Station, Rhondda, South Wales. And after a few years he became superintendent, but has now retired a few years ago.
I was 5 years old when we moved to Wales, although I was young I can remember living at Mansfield and still keep in touch with Graham Wilkinson and his family, I enjoyed looking at your web page, so I thought I'd drop you a line.

Yours Faithfully,
Jan Harris( formally Jan Hall)

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