Hello
I came across your site when searching for 'New England (or Plumptre) Colliery. I am scanning my family photos and trying to find out more about my family.
I wonder if you would like to see three photos I have of (possibly) High Park Pit, Brinsley ( or Moorgreen?) and/or New England. I also wonder if you have come across my grandfather's name MATTHEW WILSON or his brothers Ernest and John or brother in law Ted Hickling. Matthew was born 1891 and died in 1965. They lived in Langley Mill.
I have a label which has come loose from a photo, in my dad's handwriting, which says 'photo taken at the closing of Plumptre Colliery 1911' Is this date correct? (More information about Plumptre 1912)
Dad had a story of when his dad took him on a visit down the pit. A colleague asked Matt if his son was coming to work in the pit and Matt replied 'I'd rather see him shot'. That would probably have been around 1935.
Maybe we can exchange a bit of info.
Regards
Kathleen Edwards
Eastwood
High Park/Brinsley or New England/Plumtre
High Park/Brinsley or New England/Plumtre
Matthew Wilson is 4th from left
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Click above photo to enlarge
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Miners, Plumptre Colliery
(Also known as New England)
Matthew Wilson has the dog
It looks as though the men have collected their shovels (which they had to purchase) to take them home. They also have other tools such as drills etc.
This was probably on their last day although they are all clean and fresh looking so have not just had a shift underground...this could be the day after when they were paid.
They all appear to be happy, maybe they all had a job to go to nearby at another pit. About 35 men are on one photo. The pit did finish working and was abandoned in 1912. (Click here for more information)
If you look closely No6 is chalked on a couple of shovels to the left and 10s on the ones to the right. These were panel or district numbers and probably were the last faces worked.
Bob
Miners, Plumptre Colliery
(Also known as New England)
Photos supplied by Kathleen Edwards
The group above, Matthew Wilson (bottom right). His brother, Ernest is above him
centre top is his brother in law Ted Hickling - below him is his brother
The group above is of my grandfather, Matthew Wilson (bottom right). His brother, Ernest is above him
centre top is his brother in law Ted Hickling - below him is his brother.
Matthew was a great singer and was in several choirs. Almost certainly a colliery one, Aldecar and/or Eastwood Church choir and Langley Mill and District Harmonic Choir (of which I have another photo c 1937). He also sang solos and in a quartet.
The colliery was named after the Reverend Plumptre an incumbent of Eastwood Church.
Obviously most people later assumed it was called Plumtree and is often referred to as such.
The pit did stop producing coal at the end of 1911 but was abandoned in 1912 so the picture would be correct.
I would love to have copies of the photos to be able to put them in my history if they are different to a couple that I have. Can you send them to me by email so that I can try to identify them?
There is some info regarding deaths, however I am continually researching and like your photos as more people read the site something else may crop up. I hope so.
Bob Bradley |