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I commenced working at Firbeck Colliery in 1953, after finishing my training at Treeton and Orgreaves collieries; this was a period of around 3mths. I still remember my first weeks pay of £2:13:6 pence. My first job underground was working in a whitewashed office called Boxhole, my tasks were to tabulate how many miners, were working underground on a daily basis. I made numerous trips to the pit top, with a huge leather bag, containing the Deputies airways books, which I had to deliver to the undermanagers office. At the end of each shift I administered the Checks or Tallys as some miners called them. I was known underground as Budgie, due to the fact that in the 50s I bred budgerigars. My father, Jim Needham also worked at Firbeck, so did my brother Harry Needham, he worked as a surveyor on various units. I was 15 years old when I commenced working at Firbeck. I left in the summer of 1968 and had numerous vocations around the area, but as far as mates, pals, comrades, call them what you will, none could better my mates at Firbeck. Yours: M.L.Needham. |
Hello There, I deliver to the site that was once Firbeck Colliery. Until recently I did not realise that the site was an ex-mine. I did a 6am delivery to Costhorpe Building Products in the summer months, and walked up the track to the large, red brick building that I now know to be the old engine house for the winding gear. I delivered to Costhorpe again only this morning. It's darker in the mornings now, but, thanks to you, I had some print-outs of the pictures you display of the original site. I did not venture toward the engine house, as it was simply too dark today. But just to sit at that site, with the pictures of what used to be, was pretty amazing. It's hard to believe that it's been 44 years since the pit closed, but so much of it still looks the same. Thanks for sharing the images and the history, your work does not go un-noticed! Such an eerie feeling being there this morning, so close to the pit head and those deep shafts. Imagining the lives of the people who were there. The morning was made more poignant on my return journey from Costhorpe. As I passed through Maltby, news was released that Maltby colliery may close. It's been quite a day for catching up with the past! Regards |
I am in the process of writing a book on the coal mining industry within a 20 mile radius of Sheffield. I have almost completed the book , but I am just a few crucial photos short of what I need to complete. I have written the story of Firbeck Colliery and as you probably will have guessed I don’t possess one Photo. People have been absolutely wonderful in donating photos, and I am greatly indebted to them for being so kind. If you or anyone else you know could help with Firbeck, and photos before closure of Cadeby Main and Elsecar Colliery iIt would make me very happy and would complete the book. I would like to get it published for Christmas. It will be titled “Coal in its Heyday-Sheffield and District.” Many thanks KEN.
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Firbeck colliery my granddad worked there, Wilfred Tupling, my 2 uncles also worked at the mine, Gordon Tupling was a fitter and Keith Tupling was a blacksmith ...........
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Hi My name is Paul Wrobel, Willing to pay. Many thanks
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HI Trying to trace any workmates/neighbours of my father- in-law Brian Clayton worked at Firbeck colliery 1954 to 1969 lived at 52 Drydon Dale Kilton Worksop frequented Miners Welfare club wife called Emy children Mark Patricia and Tracey any contacts for Brian please email Geoff Bellamy Son In Law
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I am in the process of writing a biography of his son, JT Edson, the western/adventure author - in his 1970s publishing peak JT Edson sold 11 million copies in 17 countries, by 2000 that had risen to 57 million copies as he sold very well in the USA. JT was only 5 months old when his father died - I have tried numerous avenues to get a photograph of John Thomas Edson (1904-1928) but have so far failed.
