Well they were shut for a while and folk turned to other fules Jim. Alston coal is a great coal but it has a sulphery smell when you open the park ray to empty ash pan. Small price to pay for a good coal, but some folk don't like it.
Once this extinction rebelion gets a hold who can survive anyway. Don't think they slowing down any mining operations.
It's not a defo that it's Malcolm Hewison, but a most likely. I will try to find out for sure. But at least you have a label.
It's a good photo