Thoresby Colliery, Nottinghamshire - April 2016

[Session9]

THORESBY COLLIERY - APRIL 2016​

History

Thoresby colliery opened in 1925. The first two shafts in 1925 were sunk to 690 metres (2,260 ft). The shafts were deepened by 109 metres (358 ft) in the 1950s. After privatization of the National Coal Board in the 1990s the mine was taken over by RJB Mining (later UK Coal as UK Coal Thoresby Ltd). Coal seams worked by or available to the pit included the Parkgate seam (from 1977 after closure of Ollerton Colliery); the Deep Soft seam; and the High Hazels seam (working ceased 1983).

At one time the pit produced up to 100,000 tonnes in a week, making profits of £50m a year, but by April 2014 it was announced that the pit would close in July 2015. The colliery's 600 employees had been reduced to 360 by the time of the closure in July 2015. Following this announcement, the government offered a loan of £10m to carry out the manager closure. The reasons for closure were blamed on falling coal prices and a fire at Daw Mill Colliery in Warwickshire.

The explore

Mooching aside, the other unexpected bonus of the day was my feet being treated to Thoresby's finest 'mud'. What should have been a quick sprint from the relative safety of a conveyor to the Coal Preparation Plant became a quick sink into the black stuff. In a wide open position with a scattering of dog prints around me, this was clearly not a position to remain in! Stuck fast, it was a time to improvise with a rake, a bit of conveyor belt and of course the inevitable hilarity of the situation. After a good fifteen minutes i was on the road again and i swear the 'mud' has done my hard skin the world of good..  :-D

Our final destination was the rapid loading bunker, but after spotting a coat and hat near the fence, it was time to head home anyway, after a very enjoyable six hour mooch. 

Shared this one in the fine company of the Lone Shadow.

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20. My favorite shot of the day, from a  mess room looking towards the shaft.

      Everything just left from the last shift.. only a clock breaks the silence.

21. This really IS the end of the line.

Thanks for looking folks 

 

[The Lone Shadow]

Fantastic report mate - Loved every minute of this. Line the next one up, minus the mud  :-D

 

[hamtagger]

Looks like a decent mooch that mate. Loving that old suspended first aid station thing  

 

 

[Perjury Saint]

Just the job

 

[Urbexbandoned]

That's real nice Geoff, loads to see and it looks like you had the site well covered too. The escapade with the mud sounds a little sketchy though