Dates for the Diary  
24th to 26th September 2010: Hidden Earth UK National Caving Conference 2010, Leek High School, Leek, Staffordshire. More details >>

Miners Memorial Damaged
On the 26th October, 2009 at 6am, a 14-tonne lorry (owned by George H Kime & Co. Ltd, from Lincolnshire) travelling along St. George’s Road, Donnington, ploughed straight on at the Granville traffic island, smashing into the metal sculpture of a miner with a pit pony and cart. The lorry driver was unhurt, and no other vehicles were involved.

The Gerry Foxall sculpture in September 2009.
Picture 4: Mining sculpture of Pony and coal truck, by Gerry Foxall on the ASDA Island, Donnington, Telford.
(Picture: Ivor Brown, taken September 2009)

The sculpture, commissioned to mark the opening of Granville Country Park was created by Gerry Foxall of Madeley as a memorial to local miners. It originally stood in the Park, but was moved to the roundabout near Asda in 1997 when it became a target for vandals! The sculpture has since been repaired and was returned to the island in February 2010.

Shropshire Miners' Reunion Service  
Following the success of a similar event to mark the 40th Anniversary of the closure of Kemberton Pit, Madeley in 2006 it was decided to hold a service to mark the 1979 closure of Shropshire's last deep colliery, the Granville Pit.

On 29th June 1979 the last of the miners, retained on salvage work, walked behind the Shropshire Miners' Union banner from Madeley Court School through Madeley to the Blists Hill Site of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum. Here the banner was "laid up" at a short service led by a Madeley Band although a Miners' Union leader stressed that they hoped this would only be temporary and that some time in the future another generation of miners would need it.

To mark the anniversary of this event, a walk around the mining remains between the former Granville Colliery site and Muxton Bridge colliery (now part of Granville Country Park) was arranged for Saturday 4th July, 2009, followed by a Reunion Service (arranged by Madeley Living History Project) at Madeley Fletcher Methodist Church on Sunday 5th July, with an exhibition of local mining memorabilia.

About 15 people took part in the mining walk on the Saturday (which was cunningly timed to avoid the rain!), led by Dr. Ivor Brown with various contributions and memories from the ex-Miners in the group.

Remains of the large horizontal winding engine house at Muxton Colliery.
Picture 5: Remains of the large horizontal winding engine house at Muxton Colliery. (All Pictures: Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings)

Picture 6: Brick pillar that supported a beam pump with the foundations of a horiozntal engine beside it, Muxotn Bridge Colliery.
Brick pillar that supported a beam pump with the foundations of a horiozntal engine beside it, Muxotn Bridge Colliery.

Dr. Ivor Brown (left) showing old plans to fellow walkers on the tour around the Granville Country Park.
Picture 7: Dr. Ivor Brown (left) showing old plans to fellow walkers on the tour around the Granville Country Park.

On Sunday, 5th July, over 80 people attended the Renunion Service, led by the Rev. Colin Richards (a former miner). Two Granville shaft section scrolls (dating from the 1860s when the shafts were sunk) were borrowed from Shropshire Archives and displayed either side of the pulpit. Unfortunately the Union banner held by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum was not 'located' in time for the service.

Rev. Colin Richards during the Reunion Service, with the 1860s Colliery scrolls either side of the pulpit
Picture 8: Rev. Colin Richards during the Reunion Service, with the 1860s Colliery scrolls either side of the pulpit.

To rectifiy the lapse in July, the Museum laid on a special Reunion Service at Blists Hill in October 2009, where the Union banner was put on display in the Forest Glen Pavilion. Those who were present at the July event were invited and given a guided tour of the museum's new mining exhibits, plus tea and cakes in the Pavilion followed by a short Service, led once again by Rev. Colin Richards.

The South Staffs and Shropshire District Union banner
Picture 9: The South Staffs and Shropshire District Union banner on display at the Forest Glen, Blists Hill, in October 2009.

Brief Trip & News items extracted from recent editions of 'Below' the Club's quarterly newsletter.

Mining Publications  
The Lead, Copper & Barytes Mines of Shropshire
While SCMC Accounts and Journals have often carried articles about the more obscure mine sites in the County, there has long been a need to try and pull together all these strands of information into a coherent publication. In this aim Mike Shaw has been very successful.

He has spent years researching records and books, talking to surviving miners, members of their families, SCMC members and tracking down original documents and the sites of numerous mines - many of which only lasted a year or two!

The first few chapters cover the early mining history of Shropshire, the products and processes, before delving off into the different mining areas and covering the mines in more detail, will appeal to a wide range of readers.

The Lead, Copper & Barytes Mines of Shropshire by M.Shaw

There are plenty of interesting snippets and facts to keep 'enthusiasts' engaged - for example Mike has made an excellent job of trying to untangle the ownership history of Bog Mine (which seemed to change owners almost every year at one time!), plus uncovering the histories of a lot of small mines.

Coupled with the extensive gazetteer, and references section this is a book that after the first read, will become a valuable reference for mining historians. It is well worth adding to your library as it successfully plugs a gap in Shropshire mining history.

ISBN: 978-906663-09-4
Softback, 320 pages, over 200 b&w photographs, drawings and plans. Available online at Moorebooks,  www.moorebooks.co.uk

Snailbeach Lead Mine
The Shropshire Mines Trust have recently published a new book on Snailbeach Mine (several Club Members have also been involved in the production).

Although aimed at the general reader as a guide to the mine and it's environs, it will also appeal to mining enthusiasts with chapters covering the mine itself, the associated railway, geology and social history of the area.

Snailbeach book cover

ISBN 978-0-9556081-2-4
Softback, 172 pages, 120 b&w photographs, 23 drawings and maps. Available online at Moorebooks,  www.moorebooks.co.uk

News  
Pennerley Collapse
Earlier this year the last almost complete building on the Pennerley Mine site (the magazine/store/office?) finally collapsed. It has been in a precarious state for a number of years and the bad weather after Christmas was too much for it.

The last recognisable building at Pennerley (March 2005)
Picture 1: The last recognisable building at Pennerley in March 2005. (Picture: Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings)

SDR Truck Re-built
On Good Friday, a small group of Shropshire Mines Trust and Club members assembled at the Snailbeach loco shed eagerly awaiting the arrival of the reconstructed Snailbeach District Railway hopper wagon, and we were not disappointed!

The reconstructed SDR truck outside the loco shed.
Picture 2: The reconstructed SDR truck outside the loco shed. (Picture: Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings)

Once again Barry Ellis has worked his magic and done an excellent job on rebuilding the wagon. It is painted in traditional SDR gray with white lettering, and what’s more the hopper and brakes work!

Based largely on old photographs, the restoration has certainly been successful and the wagon now has pride of place in the loco shed at Snailbeach.

A photo-opportunity for the team who helped unload the truck.
Picture 3: A photo-opportunity for the team who helped unload the truck.(Picture: Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings)