Below is a photo kindly loaned by Mrs Bradbury of her late Husband Mr George Bradbury,George is seen here doing Banksman duties at the upcast shaft [ shonkey], photo from the 1970s.
Below are the signals that Geroge would have used each time men or materials was transported in the shaft.
The last photo of George shows him getting ready to unload Tubs from the cage,lifting the safety barrier.Behind him is the cage waiting. He will slide back the yellow gate then lift the gate up on the cage to allow the Tubs to be pushed off.
Photo very kindly provided by Morris Baker, Thurcroft Upcast Pit Bottom, year not known.
The two photo's below were very kindly sent in by Mr John Walton, taken in approx 1976. It shows John in the new control room in the Downcast Pit Bottom, taken just after the pit went to skip winding. At his finger tips are the control's for starting the conveyor belt and sending full skips of coal to the surface,on the wall are telephones to keep in touch with Banks-man and winder plus other areas of the mine.
Second photo shows John's view out of the control room window of the conveyor belt carrying coal to the skip and to the shaft side
The three photo's below were very kindly sent in by Tony Lidster. The first one shows some of the team of record breakers, back row, Mick Chapman, David Gray, Bob Everitt, David Brown, Geoff Ross. Mid row, Charlie Collinsone, Tony Lidster. Front row, Jack Moorfoot, Ivan Allen, Jimmy Kelly, Henry Hunt, Mr Walters [ undermanager ] Brian Howis. photo from late 1970s.
Second photo shows Tony in the Downcast pit bottom area, keeping check on the empty tubs as they go up the creeper.This photo was took just prior to the pit changing over to skip winding and conveyor belts taking the place of the tubs. photo from approx 1976.
The next four photo shows Tony [ centre right] behind him i think is Brian Beeston with the Black Hair, to Tony's right is Pat Fortune and stood next to Pat is Sammy Green, photo is a Demonstration in support of the Nurses. Others on the photos include Jack Birkbeck,
Ernie Rodgers, Dennis Hollings, Pete Nelson, Les Rodgers, Steve Hartley, Ken Downing, Brian Bailey, Stan Crother MP. Tag Taylor,
Additionl photos sent in by David Parry.
News Paper cutting below records the record achievement of cutting 1 Mile of coal.
We would like to express our thanks to The Oakwood Press for their kind permision to print the photo below, [link to OAKWOOD PRESS on our links page] The photo is from the book The South Yorkshire Joint Railway and the Coalfield, by B.J.Elliot. It shows the Last Train of Coal out of Thurcroft Colliery on 31/1/1992,and the end of an e-ra.
With thanks to Mr H.M. MILLAR for his kind permission to reproduce his photograph.
Below are two links to a small film on youtube, it is an edited version of a piece of filming that Mr George Curran did when the reservoir at the pit was emptied and the fish were removed. It has a couple of shots of what was left of the pit top in late 1992. The original film was to long for us to put on youtube as we have a restriction in length of 10 min's. The film was edited by me and two versions were made, one with music in the back ground and one with out, due to a mistake by me both got uploaded to the web, so it will be possible to view both. All the credit for the original filming goes to George Curran and thanks to George for letting us use his film, the links to both versions are below, Fred.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=9XMBFRDeEO0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msW0VYdFm64&feature=player_detailpage#t=0s
The four photos below were very kindly sent in by Dave Parry, first one shows the NUM Branch Committee at a mass meeting in the Welfare Hall prior to a ballot on the closure of Thurcroft Colliery in December 1991. Some of the men on the photo are Bob Haywood, Andy Taft, Dave O-Brien, Dave Finnie, Alan Joinson, Dave Parry, Steve Hartley, Paul Roddis, and i think Jimmy Kelly.
Second photo shows a view of the Headgear at No 1 Shaft, [Downcast]. The large dark building behind the Headgear was No 1 winding engine house. The smaller light coloured building to the left of the headgear was No 2 winding engine house [ upcast , shonkey ]. the building to the right of the photo was part of the Coal Prep Plant, and the large pile of Hardcore in the foreground was what was used to fill the shafts.
Third photo we don't know much about other than it was an underground visit to 30s Coal Face,on the photo are Paul Roddis, Tony ward with his wife in front and Kieth Bell. When the names of the others are known i will include them.
Last photo is similar to the one above, this has Dave Parry ( second from right ) with his wife ( centre front ) Tony Ward in front of David with his wife in front of him.Others on photo it is thought are visitors from the Thurbrook Pub.
Below is a link to a small film on youtube, it's a selection of clips from a vidio camera footage that Derek Brown took in 1992. the clips have ben edited and put together to show a three minute film of the Pit Top at Thurcroft, mostly from the top the headgear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzQtjbTkaNQ
If this link does not work, copy and paste it in your browser.
Below is a photo very kindly sent in by Mr Mick Fletcher, ex Under-manager / Deputy manager of Thurcroft Pit. The photo is of Mick stood in the pit yard just in front of where the new fan house was being built, [Mick as pointed out that the new fan was in fact an ex Treeton fan] and he as also sent in his Face Training certificate and some of his work history with the NCB / British Coal, their in the Certificates /Ephemera section.
Photo below of Downcast (No 1) Head gear and close surface area, note spare Skip on it's side, bottom left.
Photo below again shows Downcast, this is the Bank area where the man operating the cages the (Banks-man) would signal to the Winder and Underground for the skips / cage to move. The photo was taken after the pit was closed and men are the contractors who would eventually dismantle the cages, headgear etc.
The photo below was very kindly sent in by Martin Dodsworth, it shows Harold Sellers (Fire Officer at Thurcroft) and the fire fighting team who include Glenn Podmore, Martin Dodsworth, Stewart Close, Mick Carlin, Jimmy Cunliff, John Warton, John Raferty, Chris Birkbeck. Ian Merrington. Photo from the 1980s.
Following on from the photo above, Harold Sellors (Thurcroft Colliery Fire Officer) has very kindly sent in the three photo's below, it shows Harold receiving the winners trophy.and the bottom two are the Fire Fighting Team in competition of which they were winner's on several occasions.
The five photo's below were very kindly sent in by Mr Ian Bradley, ,the first one shows a party ready to go on an underground visit, the guest's are a Chinese delegation, accompanied by the Manager Mr Parker, others include George Downing, Jack Finnie, Jim Bradley, and Clem Swindle. Jim Gardner, Pat Mc Clusky, George Rodda. Taken in approx 1958. They are stood in front of the old Lamp room.
Second one shows Branch Officials and workmen with Banner outside (i think) the Bottom Club, It looks like it might be Miners Demonstration day, and the men are recoding it with a photo before taking part in the march. The two men at the back Left one not known on the right is Tommy Finnie. At the front from the left is Jimmy Wilkins, (?) (?) Jack Finnie, Bill Abrahams, George Downing, Irvin Jackson, Jim Bratley, Jim Bradley, (?) Jim Gardner, Eddie Edwards, (?) Frank Frost, Jack Smith, Tommy Curley, Cliff King, Joby or Jack Hudd, (?) Photo taken some time in the Mid 1950s.
The 3rd photo shows Jim Bradley, George Downing, and Clem Swindle with Rosettes ( 4th photo shows new Coal Lorry in approx 1975.)
at a Demonstration, approx late1950s.
at a Demonstration, approx late1950s.
Group photo taken in the Pit yard in March 1960, it's not known what the occasion was, (Standing L to R ) Mr Ernest Cattle, Sam Pearson, Mr Kellsal, Eddie Edwards, George Downing (NUM), Jack Sanders, (?) Mr Parker (manager), Jack Harris(NACODS) front left (?) George Rodda, Clem Swindel, Tommy Quinn.
The group photo below sent in by Mr Harold Sellors shows the First Aid and Safety Department members. L to R, Alan Hitchins, Tony Martin, Eric Steer, Phillip Wake, Harold Sellors, Ted Wright, Harry Lockyer, Sister Halifax, Cyril Staley.
An early steam engine that was owned by Rothervale Collierys, that was used on Thurcroft Pit Top.
The eleven photo's below were very kindly sent in by David Thorpe, ( Deputy Mechanical Engineer), the first one is a view of the
Pit Top from approx 1950s
The two chimneys on the left are for the Boiler house, and the one in the back ground is from the old Brick Yard. David has confirmed that it was Blaster Bates and Ben Slade that had blown the Brick Yard chimneys down in the late1960s/70s, assisted by Gordon Squires.
Pit Top from approx 1950s
The two chimneys on the left are for the Boiler house, and the one in the back ground is from the old Brick Yard. David has confirmed that it was Blaster Bates and Ben Slade that had blown the Brick Yard chimneys down in the late1960s/70s, assisted by Gordon Squires.
Second shows a group visit to Dowty's to view a new set of chocks that were to be delivered to Thurcroft.
L to R, J Watkins, Bill Mease, George Durham, David Thorpe, Dennis Webster, Wilf Morton, Dowty Rep, Bill King.
L to R, J Watkins, Bill Mease, George Durham, David Thorpe, Dennis Webster, Wilf Morton, Dowty Rep, Bill King.
Third one shows George Durham having a closer inspection of the chock's that were delivered to Thurcroft and used on 11s and 12s Face in the Haigh Moor.
The next two show the old Coal Prep Plant being demolished in the 1970s
Sixth one, has Bill Harding (Electrical Engineer) at the controls in No 2 Winding engine house in 1984.
The next two show on the left Joe Thorpe, (plant records) approx 1986. On the right is Ronnie Bettridge, Ronnie was a Fitter who ended his carear in Plant Records, photo from 1982/3.
Ninth one shows the Time Office that was destroyed in 1984.
The Bulldozer that was used is pictured below.The building had to be pulled down and temporary buildings used until the Time Office was rehoused in the Pit Baths.
The Bulldozer that was used is pictured below.The building had to be pulled down and temporary buildings used until the Time Office was rehoused in the Pit Baths.
The last two show the Bulldozer. And on the Right is David Thorpe and an Area rep starting a shaft inspection during 1984.
The four photo's below were very kindly sent in by Ian Whyman via his brother Jack Whyman jnr. All four photo show their father Jack Whyman, Jack was a well known Overman and N.A.C.O.D.S. Branch secretary at Thurcroft for many years. First one shows L - R, Back row, Lol Jones, John Winstanly, Jack Whyman,
Royce Whyman, Jack Clarke, Arthur Monday, (front row) Jack Millman, Tim Winstanly, Harry Orrige, Benny Smith, Harry Barnes, Looks like a photo of a friendly cricket team competition, from the 1950s.
Royce Whyman, Jack Clarke, Arthur Monday, (front row) Jack Millman, Tim Winstanly, Harry Orrige, Benny Smith, Harry Barnes, Looks like a photo of a friendly cricket team competition, from the 1950s.
Second one shows a Football Team taken in the Pit yard, the only names we have so far is, Front row, L- R Jimmy Lamb, Jack Whyman, (?) (?) Bill Watley.
Third photo,( ABOVE RIGHT ) Quiz team,Jack Smith, Bil Hutchison, Bob Moss, Frank Cloke, Keith Phillips.Team Quiz Report Below. 1969/70 Standing behind quiz team , L - R, (?), Cyril Downing, Jack Whyman, Harold Locking, Eddie Edwards , Last one maybe, Frank (jinks) Vernon
Last on shows Jack receiving an award, Jack is on the right of Picture, along side is Dennis Johnson also receiving the award.
Photo from the 1960s, Person on left not known, reason for the occasion and place still unknown.
Photo from the 1960s, Person on left not known, reason for the occasion and place still unknown.
The three photo's below were very kindly sent in by Barrie Sanders, they show his Father Mr Leslie Sanders. Les Sanders as he was was known at the Pit was a well known face, selling the Booklet "COAL" to miners in the Pit yard after having his back broken in an underground accident in 1947. Les was in Lodge moor Hospital for 2 years and unable to continue his job at the pit. Photo from 1960
The last photo shows Mr Sanders Boxing Licence from the 1930s. His Manager was a Mr W Bridgewater from Doncaster.
The photo below was very kindly sent in by Mr Trevor Whitehouse via David Thorpe, the pictures shows Workmen and Deputy in the chamber below the staple bunker,the men have a mixer and are mixing Mortar or Concrete for the bricklayer in the bunker above them. The mixed mortar is lifted in to the bunker in a bucket that is lowered through an opening in the centre of the roof above them. On the right hand side nearest to camera is Harry Elliott, next is Deputy Tommy Noble, then i think it's Johnny Jones, can't recognise the man at the back at the moment, Ken Chillcott is on the left of picture
Second photo shows bucket lowered down and filled ready for lifting up into the bunker
Third photo shows one of the workmen possibly a (Thyssens contractor) pulling the bucket to one side and emptying it into a chute. Tommy Noble, Deputy in the back ground. There are two chutes on each side of the workman and are used depending on where the bricklayer is working, the platform the man is standing on is pulled up the bunker by ropes as the brickwork advances up the bunker.
Last photo shows workman / bricklayer, stood on the bunker wall that he is building. In his right hand is a signal key, this operates a bell to tell the engine driver to lower or raise the bucket. The movable platform can be seen inside the wall, and has been raised ready to start laying the large blocks that make up the bunker wall. Also on the photo is the temporary ladder that was used to get to the bunker top,and to the top of the rising drift.
Photo below also sent in by Trevor Whitehouse is of the surface, An unusual photo taking in the New Coal Prep Plant, with Reservoir in the fore ground, the Down cast Head gear and one of the Boiler House Chimney to the right.