New & Old sovereign Collieries
Both pits were sunk by the well known Clark family of Noblethorpe Hall (which can still be seen), The families coal mining interests were created by Robert Couldwell Clarke who died at the age of 46, in 1843. The family businesses were then run by Sarah Ann (his widow) and her brother, James Farrer. Old Sovereign Colliery at NGR SE307039 is recorded as being was sunk at Dodworth Moor End in 1855, shortly before she handed over the control of business affairs to her son, Robert Couldwell Clarke jnr. He appears to have taken little interest leaving business matters to James who was probably responsible for sinking the New Sovereign Colliery at NGR SE311042 (aka “Clarkes New Winning”) in between 1861 and 1866. The family interests were later managed by G.H.Teasdale. The Clarkes’ colliery interests petered out by the 1920s and little is known of the subsequent history of the two collieries other than New Sovereign was retained by the NCB as pumping pit. There are substantial remains both sides of Dove Valley trail consisting of a superb stone heapstead, drift, fan drift and engine house bases. Well worth a visit.