First I must congratulate you on an excellent website. The memories came flooding back from a career amongst the greatest working band of men it was my privilege to know.
I started as a student apprentice in No 6 area NCB at Babbington Colliery in September 1962 working as an underground fitter and going to school to obtain my HND during that time. I graduated in 1970 and started on ET (Engineering Training Scheme) until 1971 when I was appointed as |

Babbington Colliery |
Underground Assistant Engineer at Gedling Colliery. We endured the strike of 1972 when we had to keep the pits open and do all of the underground inspections. I worked as a winder during this time. I was then appointed as Deputy Mechanical Engineer at Newstead Colliery from 1972 until 1975 when I left British Coal for pastures new.
I joined Anderson Strathclyde PLC as a Development Engineer and worked on Prototype Longwall Mining Equipment especially shearers all over the UK and overseas. I installed equipment in the USA, France, Germany, Egypt, and Canada. I was then appointed as Regional Export Manager and moved to Scotland. I traveled all over the world with this and other companies until 1987 when the bottom dropped out of the industry.
I realized that this was a time of change and I worked successfully for several years in the insurance industry before emigrating to Orlando Florida where I still live. I have recently found several of my old mining buddies and have started to communicate regularly; it would be nice to arrange a reunion.
If anyone would like to communicate further you my use my email address above
Ian Withers
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