New Silkstone Coal Colliery (mine)

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samnviv
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

9 years ago

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/d1867e1d-9e53-498e-8591-64a020dac10a
The site looks like it has never been developed. Does anyone know anything about it? How is it connected to the Norcroft disaster of 1821? How did Fred acquire the mine and make money out of it?

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rikj
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Newbie

8 years ago

Hi, welcome to AditNow.

There is a three page history of the Tivydale Coal Company in the book "The Last of the Day-Hole Miners" by John Senior ISBN 1-874754-78-0. Got my copy from Moore Books as advertised on this site.

If it's the same Fred Robinson then the section on the Tivydale Coal Company opens with:

"In 1928, Mr Fred Robinson of Cawthorne, commenced mining as the Tivydale Coal Company. Previously employed by the Cannon Hall Estate, he had managed 3 small drifts which supplied coal for domestic use on the estate. mining the Silkstone Seam in an area of Cawthorne village known as Tivydale."

There are still quite a few remains at the various sites the company worked. Most notably the canteen at Norcroft Bridge, and a magazine at Tivydale.

Eventually the company employed over 200 men, so quite a large enterprise. A Mr Charles Robinson is credited with supplying the info for the book.

samnviv
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

8 years ago

Thanks for this information. Charles Robinson was Fred's son, so I am sure it is accurate. If I can get up to Wakefield ans see the archives, I will report on what I find!

coachman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

Hi Samnviv.
Just to let you know that the Wakefield Record Office (West Yorkshire Archives) is closed at the moment. I believe it is being relocated but to where, I don't know. It's due to re-open early 2017
You'll find more details if you google West Yorkshire Archives, Wakefield.

Good luck, Dave.

Well, ok.......just one for the road then !

rikj
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Newbie

8 years ago

They are moving to the new West Yorkshire History Centre. Heritage Lottery funded and currently being built in Kirkgate, Wakefield.

The Leeds branch fairly recently moved to new premises in Morley.

June adene
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Newbie

8 years ago

My Dad Len Oates was the Manager at Tivydale coal company from the mid fifties until it closed in 1969/70. I remember Mr Fred Robinson we lived virtually next-door to him. His son and grandson were both Charles. Fred had 3 drift mines at this time. One in Barkers wood Cawthorne. One at Norcroft bridge and another still at Norcroft but nearer to the hamlet but on the main Cawthorne to Silkstone road