As I recall, both headstocks were standing, plus the power house, and several other buildings including a very large (prefabricated?) concrete and steel structure (wash house / screens?) adjacent to the footpath which ran through the site (almost all of the other structures were brick-built).
To the right of the path was a large, rectangular, concrete-lined cooling pond. The power house was large, and the interior covered in decorative ceramic tiles.
Underneath was a basement, accessible through a hole in the floor (or wall?) You needed a torch for this bit, and it was full of all sorts of debris from above, including a wonderful old swivel-chair, which I often road-tested and secretly coveted. (I also coveted the "EMEB Manners Colliery Substation" sign, but every attempt to liberate it seemed to be interrupted by some bloke walking his dog).
Some of the buildings housed narrow-gauge tub lines (NB Pleasley Pit still retains a very similar set-up), heading towards the shafts. To the north, some distance away, were other buildings which I understand once housed, amongst other things, the manager's offices and a sawmill.
On Manners Ave, just before the bridge to the colliery, was a weighbridge. This stood for many years, and even when this small building was eventually demolished the foundations, underground structure, and the weighbridge ironwork was visible in the carriageway for much longer.
The upcast headstocks were the most obvious, and very spooky. A large iron grille blocked the entrance, but wind could be heard whistling through the upper structure, and water below. Just about every kid passing occasionally threw stones over the grille, but after the initial rattling, no 'splash' was ever heard as far as I can remember.
I remember the building with the 'sauce' bottles. I'm amazed at how many there were. I believe that older cousin Brian (Aram) and his contemporaries probably started the destruction of these bottles, and we continued probably until we became bored. There must have been a hell of a lot of them!
I also remember the air raid shelters - another torch job for explorations. Approaching demolition, various holes appeared in the brickwork of the upcast shaft allowing access to the foolhardy. Some mates proposed an 'expedition' using ropes, knotted-sheets, torches, whatever, to "see what was down there". Fortunately (bearing in mind our complete ignorance and general stupidity), this lunatic plan did not progress much beyond the concept stage. (It did in part lead somewhat later to the establishment of the slightly more responsible Ilkeston Caving and Potholing Club though.)
As site clearance progressed to the north, a substantial underground brick lined vent was revealed. This led away from the upcast shaft in a northerly direction. I vaguely remember Rallson Rewinds being there before they moved, but can't remember which building. I wish I had a camera then, 'cos my memory ain't wot it woz, and the whole area has been transformed of course.
Manner Pit About 1905
(Thanks to Charlie Snarski for the Photo)
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