[Morrisey]

The Pitmen ventured to a strange foreign land that goes by the name of “Yorkshire” for their latest underground fix. A quick stop at border patrol to check passports and visa’s and we were on our way to Shirley’s Colliery.
Shirley’s is a dream come true, how many des res’s can boast a coal mine and two air raid shelters in their garden! The only problem is that the house is slowly slipping into mine and is straining at the leash to get down there. Shirley is currently fighting a 10 year battle for her claim for mining subsidence, looks like a no brainer to me.
From the moment we arrived to the time we came to leave the hospitality we received from our host was exemplary with pies, jacket spuds, cake n coffee the order of the day

The mine possibly dates back to the 18th Century and was certain to have had children employed there due to the size of the workings. It is also thought that a pony would have been used to haul the tubs out due to the wooden track that is still insitu, the baskets that the ponies and children hauled would of have been of the sledge type with no wheels. All through the workings you can see where the baskets have been rubbing against the coal columns over 300 years ago! There is not a pit prop to be seen in the workings, the roof which is Ironstone is supported by the columns of coal that have been left at regular intervals.

The workings are approx 7 metres below ground, close to the house runs a road and whilst underground you can hear the noise of horses trotting along the road, extremely unnerving and surreal at the same time! After about 3 hours we came top side and went into Shirley’s for Tiffin, a quick dash around the duty free shop and we were on our way back home. A return trip is planned for a few weeks time.

Visited with: bconfined, coalboard, Kylie, WHS, detritus21, Rupert the bears dad, Wingnut, and the invisible man.....

One of the air raid shelters


Effects of Subsidence!!




Pony road










Haulage road where children would haul the full baskets through




Tiffin