The three poems below were very kindly sent in by Mr Jim Fortune Snr.
First two by Don Steeple, ex Thurcroft miner.
First two by Don Steeple, ex Thurcroft miner.
The Poem below is belived to be one of Mr Albert Clarkson's favourites, Mr Clarkson ex Colliery Manager.
Blackpool Convelesant Home.
Below are four postcards that look like their from the 1920s/30s, posted to some one in Johannesburg, South Africa. They tell a story in picture (and verse) of which we all know. Produced by the world famous Bamforth Co, the last card is a little damaged but still just about readable.
The photo below is from the 1970s, taken at worksop during a Dinner Dance for the N.A.C.O.D.S. Social Club.
Front, David Gray, Fred Gething, Branie White, Terry Stephenson, Don Taylor, Eddie Johnson.
Front, The Late Mrs David Gray, The Late Mrs Terry Stephenson, Mrs J,Taylor, Mrs S,White, Mrs J, Gething, Mrs Johnson.
Front, David Gray, Fred Gething, Branie White, Terry Stephenson, Don Taylor, Eddie Johnson.
Front, The Late Mrs David Gray, The Late Mrs Terry Stephenson, Mrs J,Taylor, Mrs S,White, Mrs J, Gething, Mrs Johnson.
Photo very kindly sent in by Harry Cartledge of a Dint Header, this is the Machine that the Heading Men used in driving the roadways for all the Retreat Faces at Thurcroft.
The two photos below were very kindly sent in by Steve Dumpleton, Steve [photo below] 1976] was at Thurcroft from 1974 to 1981 and was one of a small group of Geologist who looked after all the Mines in South Yorkshire. Second photo shows the pit top taken in 1977, from some where near the weigh office, the white structure rising up to the left of the photo is i think the conveyor that took the ash out of the boiler house.
The small cartoons below was sent in by Andy Cartledge (Harry's son), Andy lived on Osbert Drive and remembers sitting on his bedroom window sill at night listening and watching to the sites and sounds of the pit, especially the Pit Buzzer at shift change when growing up in the 60s / 70s. Thanks Andy, ( Fred)
Day Shift Night Shift
Day Shift Night Shift
Photo below very kindly sent in By Mr Les Walker, it shows Thurcroft Main Colliery Cricket Club, Runners-up, Doncaster & District Cricket League, Division B, 1925.
Back row L to R, G Shinwell, R Barlow ,F Smith (scorer) H Godfrey, A Moseley, S Pritchard, H Hepworth, W Truswell, I Holmes (chairman) J Burbridge (Treas).
Front row, L to R, (?), B.H Bloor, E Duckenneld, C Brownlow, H Brigys, (vice capt), G. L Empson (capt), T. B Aikins (pres), C. E Haves, B Brooks, (? sec) (?).
Back row L to R, G Shinwell, R Barlow ,F Smith (scorer) H Godfrey, A Moseley, S Pritchard, H Hepworth, W Truswell, I Holmes (chairman) J Burbridge (Treas).
Front row, L to R, (?), B.H Bloor, E Duckenneld, C Brownlow, H Brigys, (vice capt), G. L Empson (capt), T. B Aikins (pres), C. E Haves, B Brooks, (? sec) (?).
This elevated view of the church was very kindly sent in by Mrs Cynthia Parr, it also shows the old Church Hall in the forground and Colliery and waste tip in the back ground. Photo from the 1980s.
Photo below very kindly sent in by Harold Sellors, it shows L to R, Andy Concannon (Deputy) Tony Martin (Safety Officer) Phillip Wake (Dust Officer).
The photographs below were kindly sent in by David Painting They show the Annual NACODS Dinner Dance. Photo from the 1960s at the Normanton Hotel. Men on photo. Len Bradshaw, Royce Whyman, Tim Whinstanly, Jimmy Finnie. Gordon Slack. The only Ladies name we know is Mrs Whyman.
Below, left to right, Keith Phillips. Mrs Phillips. Ernie Rodger. Mrs Rodgers. Eric Steer.
Photo below, Standing. Gerry Taylor. (?)
Seated. Chris Newton. Tommy Nobel
Seated. Chris Newton. Tommy Nobel
Below. Alf Whittam Ernie Hodkin
Photo Below, (?) Mrs Butler. (?) John Wall. Mr Butler.
Norman Goundry Harold Locking. Trevor Powell Teddy Coates
The Ladies below. Mrs Coates Mrs Lockyer Mrs Steer Mrs Moorfoot
Below Bill Whatley Bill Slack (?) Tommy Wilson (?) Bernard Peacock
Below, standing, Lol Jones Jimmy Brittan. seated, Joe Tales. Mrs Tales Mrs Brittan. Mrs Jones
Below. Mr and Mrs Jimmy Lamb.
Below is a Photograph of Mr Albert Tremayne, a well known First Aid'r and Thurcroft Colliery Ambulance Room Attendant.
Above photo from 1969
The two Poems below where sent in by Barrie Sanders, first one from approx the 1930s second one approx 1990s. Author of second poem unknown.
Below are two photos from the Training Centres that where set up for Redundent Miners who wished to have a short coarse in learning a new trade, the one below dealt with Brickwork etc, on the right is Dennis Ward pointing some brickwork.
The photo below is of the H. L. Brown Ambulance challenge Shield, it's been running for more than 120 years in Sheffield and was an Invitation only competition. Thurcroft Pit Ambulance Team won this Shield twice in 1969 and again in 1973.
The four man team to win on both occasions were, W.E. Marshall. M.Rodgers. R.C. Miller. W. Marshall
The four man team to win on both occasions were, W.E. Marshall. M.Rodgers. R.C. Miller. W. Marshall
Photo below sent in by Stuart Plant. It was taken at Steel Peech and Tozers at Sheffield on a prize giving evening in the 1970. Thurcroft Mines Rescue Team won on this occasion. Some of the men's wives are pictured with the winner's Shield, from the left are Mrs Dereck Weldon. Mrs Tony Sludden. Mrs Tommy Donland. Mrs Stuart Plant. Mrs George Allott. Mrs Brian Cravan. Mrs David Gray and just on the end is Mrs Eric Dunkley.
The small selection of photo's below were taken from a video that Mr George Curran took during the time that the reservoir was being emptied, George very kindly let us use his film and a cut version is on "utube" with a link to it from this web site. The stills below show a little of what and how it was done.
A chap in a rowing boat paddled round the reservoir towing a net. The men on the bank pulled the net in catching many fish.
A chap in a rowing boat paddled round the reservoir towing a net. The men on the bank pulled the net in catching many fish.
With a smaller net bag the fish were lifted from the water and put in plastic buckets. The black net bag below has a couple of dozen small fish.
Some of the bigger fish still in the water reddy to be lifted out. A lot of interest shown by Fishermen and Locals alike.
As the fish are taken from the reservoir the weight of the stock is taken. One of the larger fish is shown so all interested party's can take
Photo's
Photo's
Below was one of the larger fish transfer'd from the reservoir, which caused a lot of interest.
A lot of Local's ex miners as well as Fishing Club Members were watching the event, Jim Bailey on the right with mustard coloured coat on.
Walter Staniforth and Brin Jones below in the back ground. Walt Hindley on the left, Peter Floyd with his son on the right.
George Durham, Brin Jones, Walt Staniforth. With dozens of folk in the back ground the transfare of the fish goes on
The three photo's below were taken at the Reservoir just prior to it being emptied and ending the pass times of fishing club members.
Mr Dennis Turner, with the Pit in the back ground.
Mr Dennis Turner, with the Pit in the back ground.
Mr Bill Young, with the Coal Prep Plant in the back ground.
Mr Bill Young again with Mr Bill Ashmoore and his Daughter.
The news paper clipping below is from approx 1995, unfortunately we don't know what paper it's from.
Photograph below very kindly sent in by Leo Martin, it shows a recent get together of ex Thurcroft Mechanical Shift Charge Engineers.
L-to-R, Steve Juggins. Paul Cleary. Leo Martin. Tom Hughes. Bob Hughes. Steve Plummer.
Leo very kindly says that due to the web site, it helped to reunite the ex work mates after all those years. If any one would like to contact Leo re-any future get together's they can contact him through the web site or email me and i will pass your message on, cheers Fred.
L-to-R, Steve Juggins. Paul Cleary. Leo Martin. Tom Hughes. Bob Hughes. Steve Plummer.
Leo very kindly says that due to the web site, it helped to reunite the ex work mates after all those years. If any one would like to contact Leo re-any future get together's they can contact him through the web site or email me and i will pass your message on, cheers Fred.