[mod]Threads amalgamated by Admin as this is basically one request for information. Email address also edited to avoid being picked up by spambots - replace the (at) with @[/mod]

My name is Tom Barber and I am writing a biography on my great-grandfather Thomas Philip Barber who was Chairman of Barber Walker & Co who owned Bentley, Watnall, Selston, High Park, Brinsley & Harworth until 1947. I am looking for any information from the period when BW&Co ran the mine - anecdotes, diaries of miners, and particularly to interview anyone who worked in the mines prior to 1947.

Any information gratefully received, and please send a PM or email me at thomasebarber(at)hotmail.co.uk.

Thank you in advance.

Tom Barber

Presumably these collieries were just to the north west of Nottingham?

There's a fair bit of information on Brinsley in the database: http://www.aditnow.co.uk/mines/Brinsley-Coal-Colliery 

Also a rather fabulous pic of Harworth:

🔗Harworth-Colliery-Coal-Mine-User-Album-Image-001[linkphoto]Harworth-Colliery-Coal-Mine-User-Album-Image-001[/linkphoto][/link]

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There is some info. here but I assume this route has already been explored.
http://www.healeyhero.co.uk/rescue/eastwood.htm 
http://www.dmm.org.uk/company/b1020.htm 

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Hi Tom, Apart from the links provided by Carn & Vanoord there isnt exactly a lot written on the company on the net. I grew up in Heanor & live close by in Ripley and did some walks last year and quite alot of the company's internal railway network can be traced, some excellent sections near High park.. some of the connecting junctions can be traced at Watnall and most of the route at Langley mill & Brinsley... I used to blag train rides in the 70s up to Moorgreen from Langley Mill on the NCB coal trains!
My grandfather worked in the selston pits which he said were very run down by closure...

A book that will give you an over view of the industry in the area -

by Ralph Worthington,
Collieries, Canals, Tramways, Railways, Rivers & Revolution in the selston District of Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Coalfield - Ashbridge Press

I hope that helps for a start..

Did you know a Wagon Owners plate was sold at auction very recently for several hundred pounds off a wagon... It was Barber Walker Eastwood!

Other mentions herehttp://www.nottinghamshireexminer.com/Nottinghamshire-NUM-Area-History 
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/parade/abj76/PG/pieces/lawrence/national_coal_strike.shtml 
http://www.pdmhs.com/PDFs%5CNewspaperCuttings%5C1864%5CFebruary%201864.pdf 

Also try the Heanor historical Society..

Regards ICLOKhttp://www.pdmhs.com/PDFs%5CNewspaperCuttings%5C1864%5CFebruary%201864.pdf 

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Tom,
as promised... Wagon Owners Plate, very rare indeed from these mines .... 🔗Personal-Album-856-Image-39088[linkphoto]Personal-Album-856-Image-39088[/linkphoto][/link]

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Tom,
as promised... Wagon Owners Plate, very rare indeed from these mines .... 🔗Personal-Album-856-Image-39088[linkphoto]Personal-Album-856-Image-39088[/linkphoto][/link]

Good work, Mr.ICLOK! 🙂

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£340 it sold for and it went to a good home in a collection of colliery memorabilia from the area...

Rare plate believe me... never seen another!

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Hi all

Apologies for the silence, and thanks to everyone for the kind advice and leads - very much appreciated. I'm delighted that the plate found a good home - was it Anthony Kirby by any chance? If so I have met him and he has an excellent collection and knowledge of BW&Co.

I'm going to follow up on all your kind links, and I will keep you posted on my research, and doubtless come back with more questions!

Thanks again.

Tom