News - Mining disaster is remembered (Cadeby)

A GROUP of former miners and local historians has set up a committee to commemorate the centenary of a pit disaster.

The group plans to hold a series of events next year in honour of the 91 people who died following two explosions at Conisbrough’s Cadeby Main Colliery in 1912.

The committee is collecting information on those who died in the disaster and are asking descendents of the victims for photographs and any information they may have to help mark the anniversary.

Events being considered include an exhibition of mining memorabilia and an open air service at Denaby Cricket Ground.

The next committee meeting is at Denaby and Cadeby Miners’ Welfare on March 22 at 7pm.

Anyone wanting more information should contact Jeff Lovell on 01709 865522.

From: http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/doncaster-news/mining_disaster_is_remembered_1_3095642

News - Surprising ‘Finds’ in Throapham Graveyard

The Friends of Throapham Church have recently received funding from South Yorkshire Community Foundation which has enabled a group of volunteers to start clearing and cleaning up the graveyard round this Anglo-Saxon church which is run by the Churches Conservation Trust. They have also had the backing of the Parochial Church Council for the church.

 

They started work this last weekend clearing some of the brushwood and also the massive amounts of ivy which has run rampant round the graveyard. Imagine their surprise when the first thing they found was an ancient table tomb still in existence (many have been removed from graveyards). The next find was a large C18th gravestone where we didn’t expect there were any graves, it was covered by years of growth of grass over the top. The next finds were a chest tomb and even larger table tomb which is richly decorated on the ends and is very rare for our area of the county. Many people do not realise that this graveyard was where the early miners who worked (some of whom were killed) at Dinnington Mine were buried, the first one who was recorded in the register was Moses Wright aged 44 who was buried on the 9^th December 1904.

 

There are many people from Thurcroft, Laughton, Firbeck, Letwell also buried there and also one of the Athorpes who were Lords of the Manor of Dinnington, and many of the owners of the ancient Manor of Throapham. There are also three War Graves in the Cemetery, at least one from the First World War. As this was the first day at the graveyard we do not know what else we will find when we continue, we do know there is a railed tomb still to clear. The Parish Registers record the history of the local area from the C16th and the new growth at Dinnington because of the opening up of the Colliery.

 

If anyone is interested in joining the group or willing to donate to our work please contact Pam Cook 01909 732485 in the first instance. If you cannot work you could help by making tea and coffee for the workers or help in the church dusting etc. or at our open days throughout the summer.

 

By Pam Cook (Friends of Throapham Church)

 

Going, going, gone...another giant of the coal era reduced to rubble (Welbeck)

THIS massive explosion brought decades of Notts history to the ground in a few seconds.

The 100ft coal loading bunker was the largest structure at the site of Welbeck Colliery, which closed in May last year.

But last Thursday it came down in a cloud of dust as part of the project to clear the site.

The pit was nearly 100 years old, and one of the last two in Notts when it closed

The bunker was used to fill coal trains, and was capable of filling a train with sixteen tons of coal in two hours.

Colliery manager Geoff Mountain, who is supervising the sealing of the mine and clean-up of the site, said: "Because of the height of the bunker and the fact that so much of the weight is in the top of the structure, it was decided that the quickest and safest way of demolishing it was to use explosives."

David Wall, contracts director of demolition firm Ron Hull, said: "It went down very gracefully and with remarkably little damage to the main structure.

"When the smoke cleared it was simply lying on its side. We can now get to work and dismantle it safely."

Mr Wall said: "The steelwork and metals are being removed to our recycling centre in Rotherham but all of the brickwork and stone is being crushed on site and is to be used in the operation to fill the shafts."

The filling work is set to start mid-February, and is expected to take two weeks.

The final stage of the clearance will involve the removal of the mine's two headgears by explosives.

From: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Going-going-gone-giant-coal-era-reduced-rubble/article-3139340-detail/article.html

Cuts Threaten Future of Bestwood Country Park

THE future of Bestwood Country Park could be under threat after shock, cost-cutting plans to axe the jobs of all the rangers who work there.

A friends group fears that the proposals could mean the country park being subjected to fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour, illegal camping, burnt-out cars, off-road motorcycling and arson.

“With power prices rising, the theft of timber from the country park could become a problem too,” warned group secretary Roger Williams.

Concern has also been voiced about the impact on the newly-upgraded winding engine house of the former Bestwood Colliery.

The engine house is an iconic feature of the park but the rangers are thought to play a key role in maintaining it as a top tourist attraction.

The country park’s site manager, Alex Morley, said the senior ranger was supported by five other members of the team and all six had many years’ experience.

“We have worked really hard in partnership with the police and Gedling Borough Council to improve the image of the park,” said Mr Morley. “It has worked — but only because of the vital contribution made by the rangers.”

Notts County Council says the chopping of the rangers’ jobs is necessary as it aims to make savings of £150 million over the next three years.

But Mr Williams claims the county council can maintain a permanent ranger-led team at the country park while still making significant savings.

Now the friends group has launched a petition campaign in opposition to the proposals, which they describe as the “worst possible example of short-termism and expediency”.

The country park is regularly visited by residents of the surrounding area, including Bestwood Village and Hucknall, and from further afield.

The site covers 690 acres and has by far the longest urban-fringe boundary of Nottinghamshire’s parks, with numerous access points.

Mr Williams says the friends group and a volunteers team cannot cope with the security and safety implications without the rangers, whose local knowledge and trained expertise is vital.

He adds: “We believe the county council must recognise its responsibilities to the residents and to the park by maintaining a ranger-presence, even if this is reduced.

“Without that, all the improvements that have been achieved at the country park over the last few years would be wasted and would cost more later to re-establish.

“In these times, when many local people cannot afford expensive breaks, the park offers a healthy, safe and free outing. On a weekend, we see walkers, birdwatchers, horse-riders, joggers and families with children just out for a relaxing stroll and fresh air.

“Running, orienteering and other groups use the park as a venue. But without ranger-service cover, this would not be possible.

“In short, the loss of the wardens would mean a deterioration of this beautiful and historic asset, which forms a green lung for communities across the north side of Nottingham, with 30 nature habitats.”

The winding engine house was officially opened to the public in August after its refurbishment as a £2.4 million visitor and tourist attraction.

Hucknall man Bob Gow, who has been actively involved in the project, said the rangers had done much to make the country park and winding engine house “wonderful” assets. There had been a lot of investment from sources which included the Heritage Lottery Fund, he added.

The county council’s director for cultural services, Patrick Candler, said: “We are looking at new ways of ensuring that our country parks and remain premier visitor-destinations.

“We are already talking to a number of partners about sharing resources to deliver services and are also hoping to attract more volunteers.”

 

From: http://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/news/local-news/cuts_threaten_future_of_country_park_1_2892915