Cannock coalfield project· Page 2

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royfellows
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5 years ago

#21

"sinker" wrote:

"royfellows" wrote:

I can make myself invisible like a ninja.

WOW. 75 year old invisible Ninja having a glass of wine and then doing the splits over a convector heater.... :blink:

Sounds like a scene from a Tarantino movie....

:lol::lol::lol:
You missed out the punching walls bit

Therein lies a tail, as the water rat said to ...eerr, never mind.

Sunday before lockdown was the AGM of CCC and Stuart France had arranged a trip into Cwmorthin on the Sat.
Underground, the photographers were busy at it and I became a bit bored so started practising punches against a slate wall.

"Here you are" I declared to all and sundry, "Watch this" and I gave the wall my best hoping to crack one of the blocks. Nothing.
Ah well, and that was that.
I was wearing PVC gloves and later when I came to take my gloves off the one on my right would not come off. I eventually got it off with a piece of the lining stuck to my two striking knuckles. There was no injury, but I had to get my hand into water and use my nails to scrape of the material.

Back home it took a scrubbing brush to get off the remainder.

My avatar is a poor likeness.

royfellows
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5 years ago

#22

Back on track, please excuse my diversions.

Just updated Hilton Main. I have to admit being somewhat saddened by the complete demolition of all of the colliery remains. I have no doubt that ultimately the site will end up a neat and tidy industrial or business park, but at least something could have been retained and made into an interesting feature of some kind. Possibly a bit naff but the sheer wheels into a gate feature with a bit of interpretation better than nothing.

All I see on google is Tarmac and I think a pallet company or something, I havent been there in person, probably come away depressed.

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royfellows
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5 years ago

#23

Just took a look at Wyrley/Brownhills no 3, not far from my home. The site has been completely cleared for redevelopment, there is a lot of it going on around there at this time.
🔗121142[linkphoto]121142[/linkphoto][/link]

https://www.aditnow.co.uk/Mines/Wyrley-No3-Coal-Colliery_20321/

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royfellows
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5 years ago

#24

I have been to Wyrley Grove today, about 5 minutes from home.
A lot of this mine left standing but fear for its future, only this one and the nearby Cathedral Colliery with much left.

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Coggy
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5 years ago

#25

Is Cathederal Colliery the one with the engine house that is some sort of workshop, thats close to Watling st ? I remember that has a headstocks in the 60s

if eight out of ten cats all prefer Whiskas
Do the other two prefer Lesley Judd ?

royfellows
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5 years ago

#26

Yes, but no headstocks now. Its occupied by Midland Safe Load Indicators Ltd. As daft as it sounds, stuff seems to survive better in private ownership than local authority.
I haven't been to the place, just looked from the road, but if I went there and asked, they would probably be quite interested. This is what I usually find.

Rising Sun Hotel on the island, been there over a century, was vacated due to mining subsidence affecting the structure, while empty vandals forced entry and set the place on fire. Its now awaiting demolition.

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droid
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5 years ago

#27

That's true about private ownership stuff...went to get the bike MOT'd a month back, and found a bottle kiln round the back of the shop.... This is Swadlincote, which used to have a fair old ceramics industry at one time.

Is the Rising Sun the one on the A5 just after Gatso Alley (coming in from the East)?

royfellows
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5 years ago

#28

Yes that's it, shown on old maps.

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Morlock
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5 years ago

#29

Not far from you Roy. Anything of interest left in the woods

🔗121187[linkphoto]121187[/linkphoto][/link]

https://zoom.earth/#view=52.641454,-2.00124,15z/layers=crosshairs

sinker
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5 years ago

#30

"royfellows" wrote:

Its occupied by Midland Safe Load Indicators Ltd.

I haven't been to the place, just looked from the road, but if I went there and asked, they would probably be quite interested.

Missed this thread the other day...

Harry Degville was the old fella who ran the company and also the crane hire company that they owned as well.
He was a nice old chap who could talk all day without repeating himself. I'm sure he retired and may even possibly be "not with us any more". Check first to avoid offending. I think his family, maybe daughter and grandson, took over in recent years? They would probably be ok.

Yma O Hyd....

royfellows
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5 years ago

#31

"Morlock" wrote:
Not far from you Roy. Anything of interest left in the woods

🔗121187[linkphoto]121187[/linkphoto][/link]

https://zoom.earth/#view=52.641454,-2.00124,15z/layers=crosshairs

I dont know. They were inaccessible when I visited, badly overgrown I intend to go again when the vegetation has died down. I can walk straight from the house.
I live just south east of "Providence Buildings" in Lang Lane as on old map, mine is on the A34. I am in the middle of it!
🔗120965[linkphoto]120965[/linkphoto][/link]

Found some stuff on Brownhills common, right next to Coppice lane, will cover it eventually. February is best time for woodland mooching.

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LeeW
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5 years ago

#32

Welcome to the world of exploring surface remains in coal mining areas = lots of sites gone and no remains, but with the odd little gem hidden away somewhere, either still in use or in a woodland somewhere.

A lot of the buildings from West Cannock No5 are used as part of Cannock Chase Enterprise Centre - they are more modern pit buildings. Reminds me of Barnsley Main, where everywhere goes to the headgear and missing the entire colliery site next to it - because it was modern and now an industrial estate.

I went in a mine once.... it was dark and scary..... full of weirdos

When do I get my soapbox, I need to rant on about some b***cks

royfellows
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5 years ago

#33

Something to look at on the right side of Coppice Lane, Brownhills. This is heading in. Park in the layby, and wonder on wards on foot, you will see it.

An old lady friend lives on the Wilkin and remembers a lot of shafts behind the Rising Sun when she was a child, one wonders what is hidden in the undergrowth.

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Morlock
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5 years ago

#34

There were some interesting remains a little further west at the old colliery basins, guessing Brownhills Colliery.

https://zoom.earth/#view=52.6521,-1.972885,19z/layers=crosshairs

royfellows
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5 years ago

#35

"Morlock" wrote:
There were some interesting remains a little further west at the old colliery basins, guessing Brownhills Colliery.

https://zoom.earth/#view=52.6521,-1.972885,19z/layers=crosshairs

Yes its Wyrley Grove, all photographed.
:thumbsup:

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Morlock
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5 years ago

#36

Just checked out your images, nice. last there around 30 odd years ago.

royfellows
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4 years ago

#37

I have just updated the entry for Fishley Colliery due to eventually getting around to exploring the No 3 site, a short walk from my home. Now that vegetation, especially the cursed nettles has died down, and with more suitable attire, overalls and wellies, I have found quite and interesting site. Its the first one, bar one other, in my locale with anything left.

Check out the entry and comments invited re my interpretation, which in truth is something of a challenge.

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Coggy
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4 years ago

#38

Rising Sun - returning from a training ride (cycling) one Sunday from Llangollen I punctured by the Rising Sun. I didn't have any spare tubs (tyres) as I already punctured earlier. I went into the bar and phoned my Dad to come and collect me. That was in December 1976

if eight out of ten cats all prefer Whiskas
Do the other two prefer Lesley Judd ?

royfellows
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4 years ago

#39

My latest upload is The Potters Clay and Coal Company Ltd, Brownhills.
Quite a bit to see there, been doing a bit of gardening for the benefit of the camera. Anyone who fancies walking over to the Dragline would be advised to don overalls and wellies, the 'potters clay' is very, very, and everywhere. Also watch out for plant working on site, although cut by a PROW.

Also, found a small brick lined shaft north of Coppice lane.

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Moorebooks
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4 years ago

#40

Roy,

ae they working with a dragline there or is it a retired one ?

Mike