A HISTORY OF PINXTON
BY
W.G. BARRETT
William G. Barrett
The
compiler of the attached notes on Pinxton in the 1890's was a 'local character'
in his own right. He was born in
While in
London Will had been a choir boy, and on showing great interest in the work of
the church organ tuner was encouraged to assist, and taught how to tune a
pipe. From that time on his great
ambition was to be an organ builder.
When he
reached school leaving age, the lack of finances dictated that he forgo all
hopes of an apprenticeship with an organ builder, and make a contribution to
the family income. However, he saved all
the pocket money he could, and persuaded Henry Jackson, the
By the time
he was thirty he was working spare time as an organ tuner in his own right, and
had built his workshop on
His
reputation was such that his own name should rightly be added to his list of
Pinxton worthies.
A History of
Pinxton by W.G. Barrett
Period covered 1890
- 1896
Chapter One - The
Collieries 1890
The
collieries, formally known as Coke & Co., was now known as Pinxton Coal Co.
There were
6 different pit shafts known as No. 1 Hard Coal, No. 6 Soft Coal (both these
shafts were adjacent), No. 2 Silkstone, No. 3 Low Main, No. 7 Soft Coal,
No. 9 Hard Coal (both the latter drawn up one shaft), No. 8 known as
Waterloo, but at this time was only a deep sump, out of which water in tubs
were drawn out.
Commencing
at No. 1 and 6, there were approximately 30 stalls in the hard coal seam, and
about only 1 dozen in soft coal seam - the output per day was very small
approximately 150 - 200 tons, all hand holed or stinted as it was called.
There was
very rarely more than 4 men to a stall - 2 of which were called
"Buttys" - responsible for their output and safety - occasionally
there was a 'day man' drawn from the market as such was known, and the
remaining man the loader. All of which
had to work very hard for very little money.
The average price per ton for the 'buttys' varied from 2/3 to 2/6 per
ton out of which the day man 5/- and loader 4/- had to be paid. Work started at
Sometimes
through various reasons and circumstances entirely beyond the men's control -
the buttys had not enough to pay their men's wages and then application had to
be made for an allowance. When this occurred it was a struggle to get such
allowance - but after a lot of argument - some allowance extra was given. (In after years such allowance could be claimed
to make a days wage for each man.)
Deputies
were supposed to visit each stall twice daily.
A book had to be signed showing 2 visits. Lapses were known to have occurred, but to be
honest was not the usual practice by deputies who were conscientious.
The height
of some of the main roads underground at No. 1 and 6 must have been exceptional
for big sized horses were used to draw the tubs along them.
Coming up
above, there were the 2 shafts approximately 8 or 10 yards apart (about 100
yards depth).
The
headstocks consisted of very thick pine surmounted by pulley wheels very wide
and deeply flanged which guided the flap hemp ropes some 5 or 6" wide at
that time.
The engine
(winding) was known as a Beam Vertical type - not very fast working - and
worked by George Pratt and Johnny Hill, both very capable men. I never heard of any mishap through
overwinding or Kinging as it was called.
The Bank
was entirely open, that is the Banksmen had to work throughout a shift of wet
weather drenched to the skin and very miserable. When the limit of endurance was reached, the
foreman Banksman, one Walter Knighton, would dispatch a boy to the General
Office to get a signed paper to take to the Boat Inn for ale to be obtained at
the Company's expense - which was distributed to the wet Banksmen - to induce
them to "stick it" and was known as wet ale.
The wages
of a banksman at that time was 3/8 per full shift per day. If the pit knocked off before the completion
of a shift - so wages was deducted in proportion - and this very often occurred
- in fact more often than not.
Near this
Pit Bank known as No. 1 stood another engine house which housed a pump and
known as "Persevere", it worked every day for upwards of 100 years
without serious trouble and was a marvel of good workmanship and reliability. The man in charge was the well known
character John Hill, who unfortunately lost a foot during his former strenuous
days. His shifts was punctuated by
reading the Bible and ejaculating Praise the Lord very often. A staunch Methodist, always very serious and
conscientious and a loveable character.
When the
tubs of coal came to the surface, each tub was given to one man to empty into
different truck sides, and stacked by other men - there were no shoots or
screens - this process of banksman duty was known as "Kaleing". It was very hard and laborious work - the pay
per shift was 3/8.
……….
There was a
coal allowance of 16 cwt for each man householder tenant for each 26 shifts
worked.
In the case
of boys - providing 2 were living with a widowed mother - the allowance of 16
cwts. was also honoured.
……….
Coming to
accidents and illness - there was established the "Field Club", each
man was deducted 4d per week and should he be off work through accident or
illness (which had to be certified by a doctor) he was entitled to no more than
5/- per week (termination unknown). The
author never knew of any accident grant being given - for the simple reason
collections was a recognised thing, and unfortunately often called for - for
one of the workmen laid aside through misfortune.
However,
there was one exception for the Colliery Co. assistance. When a man got hurt or trapped as it was
called, the Company would provide a horse drawn vehicle to take the poor fellow
home. I cannot say how he later on got
to the hospital. But anyway, when he got
convalescent, a male nurse was engaged (one Sam Kyte) to push him in a basket
chair out into the open for a few times.
Also the
Colliery Co. provided stewing meat (to make broth) and milk daily for a period.
……….
Most of the
Railway Wagons labelled PINXTON in large letters, belonged to a gentleman in
There were
5 men engaged - "Dick" Perkins, George Hodgkinson, Tommy Greaves,
Luke Higgins and an old chap Jimmy Ellis - the latter's duty was to search the
Railway Sidings for incoming "Cripples" as they were known 2 or 3
times daily.
To the
author's knowledge very extensive repairs were often undertaken. Some after they had passed out of this small
repair yard - equalled in every respect - entirely new wagons - finished off -
painted and lettered and numbered. Well
done Dick and your pals - you did a good job for little reward (wages averaged
4 or 5/- per day).
No. 2 Pit
This pit
was situated approximately 150 yards from the No. 1 and 6 in a northerly
direction.
The seam
was known as Silkstone - the shaft was approximately 100 yards deep and known
as upcast ventilation by a steam driven fan.
The number
of stalls at work were approximately 30 and 2 Buttys and a loader took the
necessary labour to work the stalls - all stalls were man holed.
There were
no large lumps of coal - mostly the size of 4 or 5 in and under and very large
percentage of slack - which caused a lot of trouble over the getting price.
As some
solution - a machine called "Billy Fairplay" was installed on the Pit
Bank, so contrived to shake the slack and dust out of each tub and a certain
percentage was deducted from the getting price, by such means. This caused more argument than before - and
much more dissatisfaction - it was eventually disbanded.
Much short
time was experienced at this pit - the output was of excellent quality and
chiefly sent away to Gas Works as far away as
The
underground manager, Cheetham Hancock, was efficient and capable of directing
operations below ground - and of a cheerful and kindly disposition - and the
men could trust him.
The Bank
was partially covered in and contained shoots and screens - power driven to
distribute the size and grades of the coal.
I have also mentioned the old fan which can still be seen from the
adjacent highway.
In
conjunction with its chief function it contained a wonderful clock inside the
engine house. It was the invention of
Arthur King, the works surface superintendent, who was a born genius. Attached to the clock was a rod and other
mechanism which faithfully recorded the number of revolutions of the crankshaft
per minute - terminating in a roll of paper in the clock. A needle stabbed the small printed squares on
this paper as the crankshaft worked it.
If any
squares on the paper upon examination (each week) remained unpunctured, it
clearly showed the crankshaft had stopped.
Intermittent punctures revealed slowing down, in which case the fan
tender was called to account for.
The boiler
supplying the steam for this fan had to be stoked up and cleaned out by the
fireman - the men numbered 3 - each on 8 hour shift.
2 Horizontal Engine. Pulleys - round wire ropes
A short
distance away stood the sawmills - which served the demands for all pits -
Foreman Marriott affectionately known as "Sawyer Bob" was in
charge. He dealt expeditiously with all
orders entrusted to him - faithfully and never known to cause trouble. Well done Bob you did a grant job.
We now come to No. 23 Pit
- Low Main Seam
It made,
about this time, such short time, till it was nicknamed Bread and Herring Pit.
The
undermanager was one Edward Johnson - never known to cause trouble to the men
under him. I don't mean that he always
gave way to demands, but he would patiently argue the matter under discussion
or complaint - and would decide on the spot what he thought was just and
honest.
The pit was
situated 150 yards approximately slightly west of No. 2 Pit, but is now (1954)
only debris, having been abandoned many years ago.
At the time
of its working in the late ninetys, it contained approximately 30 stalls, all
hand holed which delivered coal of an excellent quantity of medium and small
kind - no large lumps.
Many horses
of a small size were used down this pit - taken down in nets suspended
underneath the chair and when once down rarely came up again alive except in
case of extensive pit stoppage or accident.
I always
felt sorry for these patient dumb creatures who had a very hard life - some
working double shifts and hope a day will come when it will no longer be
necessary to have these animals in any pit.
I have
often enquired from the older men, if any of these horses were subject to
physical cruelty by the boys in charge of them.
The question has been most thoroughly emphasised for a truthful reply,
and I was told that apart from the odd case or two (which was warmly taken up
by officials as and when such occurred) there was no cruelty in general
practice, but all agreed some horses had a hard life of work and many went
blind.
There were
boys who lived for their horses and brought many a lump of sugar or titbit to
give them - an act which pleased me very much and in a sense relieved my mind.
The winding
engine was known as a Beam Engine of a vertical type - the men in charge were
John Smith and Alf Yeomans - both capable men.
I cannot recall any accident through their neglect.
The Pit
Bank contained shoots and screens much like No. 2 Pit and was partially covered
in (obviating the necessity for the wet ale allowance).
I mentioned
about the excessive short time - quite true, it was a very common occurrence
for the men to work only ¼ shift in a day - chiefly through lack of orders.
The
different pits owned by various owners were highly competitive and if one pit
was so unlucky as to miss a Gas Works order, it was a bad lean look out for
some time to come.
When the
railway wagons from No. 2 and 3 pits were loaded they were taken to a truck
machine which stood at the entrance of Longwood Hall gates and despatched from
there. A public footpath adjoining led
from
I must
digress a little here at this stage.
A few
hundred yards due north from No. 3 pit (now derelict) in 1890 - stood 2 disused
shafts (bricked round the top). These
had been closed a few years previously, not because the seams had run out, but
through some dispute concerning the royalties.
These shafts were known as No. 4 and No. 5 and nicknamed "
As I am
unable to give any facts or reliable information concerning their stoppage, we
must leave it at that.
……….
We now pass
on to Nos. 7, 8, and 9 Pits known then and now as Langton Colliery.
No. 7 was a
soft coal seam with approximately 30 stalls or thereabouts - the undermanager
one Bill Barlow.
No. 9 was
the Hard Coal Seam and managed by our old friend respected by everyman - Job
Smith.
The pit top
was only partially covered in, some of the tubs were "Kaled" (emptied
by hand) and shoots and screens were used.
There was a
steam driven fan which was equipped like No. 2 Fan with an Engine Speed Counter
by the same clever inventor.
No. 8 Pit
known as
The steam
engine pump was situated ½ mile from No. 8 Pit and known as the "Green
Engine", the site was named Pinxton Green.
This pump was very important and received constant attention day and
night.
The engine
house remains can still be traced out - having ceased working for many years.
……….
Between No.
1 and Langton stood the quaint diminutive place called the
"Brickyard". Yes: Bricks -
made of good clay were made here by Cotterill and the name Pinxton pressed into
each brick. The firing up was very
primitive - bricks were sold for as low as 16/- per 1,000 - the piece work
wages were shockingly poort.
……….
Adjoining
the Brickyard (there was no Brookhill Pit then) stood the weighing machine - in
sole charge of worthy Isaac Hayes of the old Hayes family - a genial old soul,
who never let anything worry him too much and who had a cheery word for any
man, woman or child.
His duties
were to weigh out colliers allowance coal in carts and any small lots of Landsale
- the average price to the public between 7/- and 10/- per ton according to
quality. 2/- a ton for slack.
Miscellaneous
Pinxton
Coal Co. had 3 tank locos to handle the trucks loaded and empty from all the
pits, named "Billy", "Frank" and "Mary". The last named was (so it was supposed)
called after the General Manager's wife.
The drivers
of these locos were, at that time, Jos. Surgey, Edw. Hopkinson and I'm sorry I
cannot recollect the other man. These
men were assisted as shunters by Benny Hatton and Frank Lindley - both from
Selston - and all made very long hours indeed.
I feel I
ought to mention about the "Paddy Line". This is a stretch of about 2 miles from
Sleights West to Langton and served 2 purposes.
One, of course, was for the needs of the Langton Pit requirements and
the other purpose was for taking the colliers (who had walked from Somercotes
and thereabouts) by rail transport in 2 coaches (ex railway) one of which was a
former guards brake coach.
The journey
began at prompt
When the
day's work was over, the return journey was made from Langton at
……….
We now come
to the shops which took the form of a few very small departments mostly under
one roof. The marvel is how any class of
construction or repair work could be made possible.
Quite close
to No. 1 Pit, with a railway tunnel to walk through - there they were (this
does not refer to the later more modern shops erected on the canal side). There was the Blacksmith, Joiners, Painters,
Timekeepers etc., all huddled up together under one roof (not too sound)
scarcely room to turn round. Hours of
work were from
Nevertheless
the work was done without a machine of any sort to assist - the Blacksmith
bellows was hand blown and striking was hand operated - the Joiners shop was devoid
too of any machinery. The timekeeper
(Frank Taylor) had a diminutive apartment, where each morning from
The
"board" consisted of a circular wooden disco with a painted number
on. At
This done,
Frank would look at whatever untaken boards were left and this enabled him to
record his time sheet for those who worked that day. He also acted as storekeeper. In short - his was a busy day.
Good for
you Frank, you had your faults (who hasn't) but you did your job well.
..........
My memoirs
close as regards the Colliery Co. with the General Offices (there was only
one).
If a man
said - "I've been to t'office" - he was quite understood. The office stood about ¼ mile due west from
No. 1 Pit and consisted of a fairly large premises - it was a double story
building, since altered into 2 cottages.
The first
department in 1890 was the pay department inclusive with the setting on of
workman. It was quite a performance,
this matter of setting on.
A man would
enter and present a signed paper from an undermanager - countersigned by the
works manager (Mr. S. Alsop). Then the
chief pay clerk, Henry King, read out with great rapidity from the rule book
certain paragraphs of the Mines Act - afterwards presenting the new workman
with a copy of the rules in printed form, for which the man would sign in the
rule book with his name, or if he could not write - which was often the case -
an "X" was all that was required.
The man thenceforth was an employee, fully and completely established.
Pay day
was, as usual on Friday after
..........
On the same
floor level in an adjoining room was the works manager's office - S. Alsop
Esq. This person was respected by
everyone which is a lot to say. He
arrived at the office every day without exception promptly at
On very
rare occasions, when exasperated beyond endurance, he would tell the men to
change his pit, meaning only one thing - dismissal. If he could possibly find room for a new man,
he would do. Yes, Mr. Alsop was liked,
his work was his bond and no man had any need to fear in a right cause.
He left the
position in 1895 and went to live in Codnor.
God Bless
you Mr. Alsop - you were a real gentleman.
..........
We come now
to the last floor department.
This was
the accounts department - Mr. S. Smith in charge - assisted by George Slater
(son of cashier) and a person from Mansfield W.H. Dean (the poor fellow died
soon after at an early age of T.B.)
Mr. Smith
had the decision to make each afternoon exactly which pits could work on the
following day, according to the sales orders received up to date.
A board
about 3 ft. sq. was thereupon hung outside for homegoing workmen to read, as to
whether his pit was working or not on the morrow. That method was adopted for many years.
In one
corner of the accounts room stood a low platform and desk occupied by the
"wagon hire accounts clerk".
Mr. Arthur Allin held this position of recording the length of time, or
any delay in transit journeys of Pinxton Wagons.
We now pass
along up a flight of stairs to the first storey. On the left was the general manager's office
which Walter Salmond Esq. occupied. I
think it best to leave it at that - simply in explanation, the relationship
between this gentleman (known as Mister Walter) and his work people was seldom
of the happiest.
On the
right was the chief confidential clerk's office - shared with the chief cashier
- (Mr. James Allin and Mr. John Slater) - both very old servants and liked and
trusted by all.
When a loud
guffaw was heard some quiet afternoon, it was always from James Allin's office
and indicated the G.M. had gone home and conversation could flow.
Mr. Smith
and Henry King would sometimes come upstairs to join in the joke or fun.
Passing out
of this department we come to the 'Depot Department' occupied by Walter Barrett
(the author's brother).
I must
explain what the depot department really was.
A few years previously, the idea of setting up Retail Depots (made
chiefly of wood occupying railway ground) for the sale of coal direct to the
public was adopted. By this means it
meant cutting all merchant middlemen out, therefore apart from the Depot
Clerk's wages and rent for the ground and transport charges - the only profit
would be what the Colliery Co. required.
Somehow - I
know not why - the idea failed and the depots closed - I think not quite all of
them.
My brother
was engaged to work out each week what each depot cost to run and what sales
were made. I never could understand the
modus operandi but a rule capable of sliding in and out gave the "cost per
ton" and this method was infallible.
The
remaining upstairs room was the draughtsmen's office. Mr. Arthur Alsop (the manager's son) and a
Mr. Wade were the underground surveyors - both very clever men.
I was given
6d each Christmas for keeping their office fire in till they came up the pit.
I would
gladly have done it free, for both were real gentlemen, with no
"side".
I think
this concludes the tour through the offices, since transferred to Longwood Hall
- the former home of Mr. Walter Salmond mentioned before. A few years later on his title was Major W.
Salmond.
Transport of Coal direct
by Water
Within 20
yards of the old General Office (facing direct south) was the loading siding of
coal into barges. During the late
daytime a barge towed by horsepower would arrive and berth at the site at
various periods.
Early next
morning 4 or 5 wagons of coal or slack would be placed ready for
embarkation. Shortly after
This done -
the Barge would move off down the canal returning to Cromford. This section of canal commenced from Pinxton
Factory Yard, plenty of deep water and certainly navigable, flowing past the
old Meadow Rows, which was a cause of anxiety for mothers of small children,
some of which had to be fished out.
The canal
was used for the transport of Sunday School scholars for their Matlock trip
once a year in former days. Calculating
the return journey they must have been long days - the going drawn by horse
being necessarily slow.
In winter
time during hard frosts skating was very popular lasting many weeks.
The Big Strike 1893 (July 28 - November 20)
The above
took place in the early summer and lasted 16 weeks. The reason was that a reduction in miners'
wages was demanded by the owners of Pinxton's and surrounding pits -
negotiations having failed.
The horses
were drawn out of the pits and put to grass in Longwood and Langton Parks -
water barrels were stuck in the ground for their needs. The gang boys used to come as near as
possible and call out their horse's name (which they recognised) and an hour or
so of reunion was established.
After a few
weeks during which the men's gardens took up their time of otherwise idleness
the struggle to live really began.
The union
funds were soon vanishing - first full strike pay and then half pay - until all
had been drawn out and things looked ominous.
Men took long country walks (some as far as
Then
further relief came from the
So the
struggle continued on and on, week after week.
One day to
everyone's astonishment came the arrival of about 50 or more uniformed
policemen from the
There
really was no need for their presence - there was not the slightest disorder or
threats uttered from the Pinxton Colliers.
A week or
two later, came another surprise. A
company of soldiers in uniform marched one day through the village - en route
for Longwood Hall where they halted.
Tents etc. were erected and the length of stay was a speculation. The only comment the author can make is -
whoever sent for assistance to either Constabulary or Barracks need not have
had the slightest cause - for the relationship, although momentarily bitter,
never came to threats of personal violence or to property and the presence of
these uniformed men was not calculated to restore confidence. No attack on man, master, property or
anything was at any time attempted by the Colliers at Pinxton - (no damage!)
I cannot
recollect how long these police or military stayed at Pinxton - when they did
depart no regret was expressed - the men accepted the situation with contempt.
Late in the
summer, a few neighbouring collieries gave way, one at a time, and eventually
the strike came to an end at Pinxton. I
am unable to state definitely on what terms.
This period
of Pinxton History was never forgotten by anyone who went through the struggle
- for many years afterwards it was still called "The Big Strike".
It was an
ugly evil time for everybody concerned.
Places of Worship
There were
3 Nonconformist Chapels and of course the old
At that
period (1890) the old parish church was, on the whole, small and owing to some
reason or other only Sunday morning services were held in it - the evening
service being held in St. Helen's Mission Room.
Both places
were filled to capacity. The Rector
(Rev'd S. Coke) was judged to be the finest preacher hitherto known in
Pinxton. His right hand man was old Tom
Stocks to whom reference is recorded elsewhere.
There was a good choir, who knew how to sing well. Both organs were poor antiquated instruments
which often had to have attention to keep them going. The organist was Wm. Alsop (no connection
with the Colliery Alsops) of Huthwaite, who walked 16 miles during the day (2
journeys) and was a fairly good musician.
There was
one unpleasant episode which took place concerning a choir trip to Skegness in
1981, which nearly split the Church, and indeed it did empty the men's choir
stalls.
It happened
the choir men had joined together in the expense of 2 doz. bottles of
"Bass".
Towards
The Rector
thereupon took possession of all the remainder and threw the whole lot out of
the window, saying he would allow no drinking.
This caused
trouble - it nearly spoilt the day's outing and on the next Sunday the men
absented themselves from the choir and some occupied front seats of the
congregation, to face the Rector whilst he preached.
I never
heard if or when a reconciliation took place.
It did not
lessen the size of the congregation - opinion was divided, many agreed the
Rector did right in his action, it being a Church choir trip.
Pinxton Flower Show
This was an
annual event, coupled with amateur sports, and regarded as a very important
day.
It took
place on the old cricket field, close to the reservoir as it was called. It attracted visitors from all the
neighbouring villages and keen competition took place for prizes, which were
considered worth having.
A large
marquee was erected which housed the floral and vegetable collection. During the day exhibits were judged to the
best of their ability by competent judges for different species and no complaint
was made, so far as the author knows, of their findings.
The sports
commenced at
Competition
was keen and excitement ran high, but always with good humour. The sports took up most of the afternoon and
early evening.
Afterwards
a concert party (again all amateurs) was engaged to give performances and very
good they were.
No betting
was allowed whatsoever, which naturally kept the sports clean.
Yes -
Flower Show day was eagerly looked forward to weeks beforehand and most
thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended.
Pinxton Feast
This took
place in October, the official day was definitely the nearest Sunday to the 10th.
Most folk
regarded it as important and one could see, if one called, tables spread with
ham (especially) and other edibles and shared with great hospitality with
visitors who arrived.
On the day
following the great outside wakes started and generally lasted 3 days - during
which time all the pits stood idle.
The usual
place chosen was
This went
on until
On the
Wednesday night one could hear Cox's steam organ playing "God be with you
till we meet again" finishing up with "The Hallelujah Chorus" at
Memoirs of a few Worthy
Characters
It is
difficult to know whom to commence with.
I think we will take Mr. Samuel Alsop first, the Colliery works
manager. I have already mentioned how
much he was respected in the village.
When
The
afternoon would be devoted to his poultry - some 50 or more Feather-legged White
Brammons - in which occupation he was happy and thought a lot of. Sometimes a new would-be worker would call to
see him to ask his consent for employment and would produce a scrap of paper
from the under manager of one of the pits, which simply stated, "I can
find this man work. Will you please set
him on?"
Then came
some questioning from Mr. Alsop.
"What pit do you come from?
How thick is the seam? Who is the
manager?" and finally, "Why do you want to leave?" After being satisfied, the scrap of paper
would be countersigned and the man sent to Henry King for a copy of the
rules. It was all as simple as that - no
fuss with Mr. Alsop. He would see
anyone at home.
After
leaving his appointment, Mr. Alsop went to Codnor - a few miles away - to manage
a few very small pits for a while.
Finally, as
he was approaching old age he tried unsuccessfully to start a new pit of his
own - and certain attempts were made in this direction - but it did not
fructify and was abandoned. His body
lies in Pinxton churchyard and on a gravestone to the north side of the church
itself is recorded his interment dated 1914.
May God bless and rest your soul in
peace.
The local world sadly missed your
kindly influence.
It has not been replaced since.
John Spiers
A worthy
champion for the workmen's cause, he came to Pinxton from Oxfordshire. He was appointed colliery weighman but later
on changed pens with his fellow checkweighman and became checkweighman for the
men.
He had a
remarkable way of presenting any grievance which was brought to his notice and
would fight hip and thigh in the men's cause to better their conditions, very
often successfully.
A staunch
Methodist - he was a live wire in the activities of village religious life -
particularly of the Pinxton Wharf Chapel.
In addition
to being a local preacher of some eminence, he conducted a Bible class which a
large number of young men attended.
His
practice was to explore one New Testament Book at a time, with
understanding. After many years working
in the interests of miners he went into business for himself, chiefly furniture
which one of his sons made on the premises.
His passing
left a gap in the religious life of the village.
..........
I will
briefly summarise a few other notable characters.
Sam
Bowering, who constructed a living shack to dwell opposite the old Pinxton
Offices, was a philosopher, naturalist, weather prophet and a marvellous
whistler.
He could be
heard whistling ½ mile away. The tune
would always be one of Moody & Sankey's.
On the whole very sociable and had a kind word for every man, woman and
child; if sometimes bluff and brusque.
Jody
Clifford (Joseph), a blacksmith's striker among other jobs, claimed the relationship
of the famous Dr. Clifford, the London Baptist Devine - as uncle and nephew.
Charley
Rumley, a cripple through an accident at the colliery, for which he could
establish proof by the possession of a few bone fragments which he carried
about to show anyone doubtful.
Chas.
Howbrook - also a blacksmith's striker - who could sing a good comic song and
was fond of pulling people's leg, with the declaration (with never a smile)
that he had been to
Good old
John Hall, minus a foot through accident at the pit - always took life very
seriously and conducted a Women's Bible class in the Wharf Chapel every Monday
afternoon - to which Mr. Alsop the manager agreed to allow him to go, leaving
the care of the old Persevere pump to other hands.
A quaint
character was old Billy Pike. His job
was to attend a small gas driven pump at the bottom of Church Hilly Field
(towards Birchwood).
In his own
dialect he would say "Tha knows - Billy - folk alus goes courting the
wrong way about. Folk spends this and
that on their gals which does no good. I
ne'er spent nowt on my Mrs. before I got married and see how she's stuck to
me", concluding with, "I've no patience wi' folk nowadays".
Well done,
Billy, that's the stuff. You certainly
looked it.
Tom Stocks
(the sexton of the
A worthy
honest old man - faithfully in all his duties - including grave digging.
He kept a
stern hand on any unruly Sunday School Scholars - tapping his long lighting-up
stick smartly on the heads of these.
He was
proud of every piece of Church decoration and would point with pride to the
Altar Table declaring "
The author
(when a mere boy) sometimes helped him to get a grave space ready. During the proceedings a pint of ale (2d) had
to be sent for to lighten the labour.
God rest your soul, Old Tom.
You were a genuine gentleman in your
way.
There were
many other notable characters - the old John Walker family - the Binghams and
Fishers blacksmiths - Harry Goodal, a fine house builder, one of the best.
The Rev'd
Sidney Coke (Rector) - Joseph Booth, the biggest retail premises for miles
round, a very generous man - Misses Martha and Lucy Chatham - and the Walters
family.
One old
character was a "Cobbler" who was never seen without a shawl on his
shoulders. He lived next door to the
Primitive Chapel (still there).
After a
well attended Prayer meeting at the Chapel he used to vow and declare that if
they (meaning the praying brethren) didn't cool down a bit they would set straw
on file (meaning the Straws living at the shop 100 yards away).
Pinxton No.1 pit, near to the
In 1852 a second shaft. No6 was
sunk close to No.1 down to the deep soft seam which lay 20 yards above the deep
hard. A new winder was installed using flat hemp rope to operate a cage in each
shaft, which held two trams each holding up to 1 ton of coal.
In 1856 a roadway was drove some 32 yards through faulted
ground connecting the deep soft to the deep hard. No.2
pit was at the bottom of
In 1872 a steam engine driving a Waddle Fan was installed,
and then in 1925 an electric fan was installed, No.1, No.3, No.6 and Brookhill shafts acting as the air intakes.
No.2 ceased coal turning in 1947, after nationalization,
acting as the up-cast shaft for Brookhill, and
pumping water afterwards, until Brookhills closure in
1969.
No.3 was 112 yards deep, it ceased winding coal in 1910 when
Brookhill headings in the low main (Tupton) reached the No.3 low main reserves, the shaft being
kept open as an air and escape shaft. A 20hp electric winder replaced the steam
winder which was scrapped; the chimney was demolished in 1930, the shaft being
filled during 1955 and the headgear being demolished in 1958.
No.4 and No.5 shafts to the north of 2 + 3 were closed during 1860.
Below Pinxton Colliery
Brook Hill Colliery
Brookhill Colliery was an
extension to the Pinxton Collieries Company Pits, which in years to come would
be the main centre for coal winding and surface coal
facilities for all the Pinxton Pits.
The sinking of Brookhill, about
200 yards west of
While sinking the seams passed through the
Top Hard at 76 yards,
The total payment to Edward Ward's son (Edward died during
the sinking) being £5,862.00.
The winding engine was constructed during September 1908, a modern screening plant was also constructed during
this time. By September 1909 all scaffolding was removed from the head gear and
the new winding house, new guide ropes were also installed.
In September 1909 headings began in the low main and blackshale seams.
The first 1000 tons of coal were turned on
The pinxton colliery rescue team
was called into action for the first time at Brookhill
when on