This gem of a story by A. Hudson, was passed on to me and I am proud to include it on my web site. He recalls the passing of the times and in his own way records mining history and some of the people involved in it. Some people may disagree with a few of his comments but he wrote it as he saw it and we should be thankful that he did. A ? appears where I am unsure of the precise word. At times I struggled to decipher the words that were typed. I have reproduced the story and constructed this web page as best I could. Bill Riley. Memories of Ormonde Colliery. 1905 - 1965. In the quiet village of Loscoe, Derbyshire, the above colliery similar to others in the locality, possesses a history which may interest the elders of this district and perhaps revive memories from the early years of development to the present days, a period, often forgotten due to the passage of time. From the commencement of sinking operations in 1905, my first recollection of established coal production appeared to be around 1910, and Ormonde Colliery was regarded as as an important addition to the existing collieries, namely Bailey Brook, New Langley and Loscoe these forming a group officially termed the New Langley Collieries, owned by the Butterly Company Ltd. At this particular time it was permissible for a Colliery Manager to control several pits providing they were situated within three mile radius of each other. Mr. H.R. Watson, was the appointed general manager of this group of collieries. The undermanager at the respective units were:- Mr. Hogg ( Bailey Brook ), Mr. Wood ( New Langley ), and Mr. Henshaw ( Loscoe ), with Mr. Pynegar commencing as the first undermanager of Ormonde. On the completion of sinking operations, and in accordance with detailed planning for an unlimited life, main roads were driven in Eastern, Western and Southerly directions with districts proceeding with cross gates and stalls on hand got methods of coal mining. As these districts became enlarged output increased appreciably and continued to do so for quite a few years via a 14' shaft designed to deal adequately with the maximum amount of mineral forecast under hand got mining practice. Unfortunately, the surface layout had not been planned to meet the increased output, consequently many stoppages resulted due to Long belt and the Screen Machinery being constantly in use without maintenance, therefore natural fatigue of this machinery took place, often with serious loss of output. Although these activities had taken place in my school days, I had been interested and inquisitive in obtaining as much information as possible, for it was in these early years that I had a firm intention of working at Ormonde on leaving school. This intention became a reality when on my 13th. birthday I commenced work, so my recollections spring from 1918 onwards throughout the 39 years of my employment at the colliery. By this time a change of Undermanager had taken place, Mr. Thomas Cooke being in control at this period. Other posts of responsibility were held by:- Mr. Searson ( Enginewright ), Mr. John Wright ( Group Foreman of Joinery Shops ), Wm. Brassington ( Electrician in charge ), Ted Warrington ( Surface Foreman ), Sam Slack ( Bank Foreman ), Jack Martin (Screens Overman? ), Geo. Watts ( Screen Driver ), Winders:- Jobey Allen, Jack Brown, Laurence Beresford. Onsetters:- Joe Barber, Jack Watkinson, Robert Twigg, Herbert Yeomans, Amos Watson and John Albert Watson. Underground:- Deputies were principally the senior supervising staff and well known characters such as the following were recollected clearly:- Sam Flecher, Thos, Marriott, H. Maycock, G. Champion, S. Bradley, S. Hopkinson, John Parnaby, Jas, Parnaby ( accidentley killed in 1934 ), Wm. Kirk, Jas. Pacey ( also fatally injured underground ), Wm. Burrows, C. Stretch, Ben. Antcliffe, Herbert. Watson, F. Wharton, H. Smith, Amos Canlin, Joseph Cooke, all of which needless to say excepting the last two named have passed on through the years. It was an acknowledged fact that Sam Fletcher who carried out the duties of Main Roads Deputy was reputed to be able to shout from the Pit Bottom and make himself heard at the other end of the road. Needless to say this noted "bark" was greatly feared by the younger element, ( who had been plunged into strange surroundings ) until they became accustomed to the practice. The complement of Corporals, ( a job non existent today ), were:- Harry Barnes, Arthur Barnes, Dick Bestwick, Arthur Marriott, Wm. Holroyd, Arnold Orme, Joe Hardy, and Harry Fowkes popularly know as the "Parson". Another well known figure as a corporal was Arthur Strickland ( nicknamed baby elephant because of his size ), but who unfortunately whilst comparatively young was fatally injured when a main junction collapsed completely burying him. Also in 1938 Arnold Orme sustained amputation of his arm whilst assisting a belt fitter, Albert Martin, who also suffered the same injury. At this time, the seam being worked was the Kilburn developed on the hand got system longwall method proceeding inbye to the boundaries with cross gates 100 yards apart and stalls 40 yards apart leading off main jigs. The thickness of the seam varied in different districts from 2' 4" to 6'. The quality of this coal was regarded locally as unbeatable for house coal. Transport of the coal trams ( which had a capacity of 10 cwts. ) from the districts or stalls to the main jigs were carried out by ponies and proceeded to the shaft bottom by sets of trams on an endless haulage controlled by balance ( due to the sets spaced ). Each district was assigned a number of ponies, regarded to be sufficient for meeting the requirements of the number of stalls. Furthermore, condition and gradients of gates had to be considered to overcome the heavier work involved. The largest number of ponies I could ever recollect was 56, these being housed in two separate stables near to the pit bottom. In charge of these were Horsekeepers:- Bill Burton, Chas Dennis?, and Fred Revell, with Jas Alton the recognized blacksmith and shoeing smith underground. During the year of 1935, I commenced in an official capacity as Deputy, making early examinations ( 4 am. ) prior to the day shift commencing. After completing this, I was responsible for 280 boys and the complete output operations. This promotion came after serving on the Coal Face and later as a Corporal controlling 9 ponies for 16 stalls. In 1943 as Training Officer and 1957 Area Industrial Training Officer work proceeded on a constant tempo for quite a time. In 1938 conveyor belts were introduced and from this marked the beginning of a slowly changing pattern from hand got methods to machine mining. With the sharp increase of output anticipated, it was obvious that vast changes to existing equipment must be considered. The first of these changes were made by enlarging each tram to hold 30 cwts. instead of 10 cwts., which meant in turn a complete overall of track laying and the widening of main roadways to accommodate the larger rolling stock. Conveyor belts were installed under the supervision of Mr. G. F. Tristram who had been accepted by the Butterley Company Directors as a conveyor specialist, and consequently given the power to override the Manager when he thought fit, these belts eliminating individual stalls the coal feeding on to gate conveyors into a centralised loading point, where trams were filled at the rate of 400 per hour. Alterations to surface installations also took shape and a fresh image emerged in a very short time. This conveyor method continued in two districts only for 3 years. Where districts had developed a good distance inbye, it was deemed inadvisable to speculate on the expense of such a great amount on conveyor structure which cost in the region of 30/- per yard, especially when the life of the districts were comparatively short. On February, 1st. 1941 the Kilburn seam was closed, and activities centered on the reserves of Silkstone coal where the system of machine and conveyor working was expanded to the full. By this time the Low Main seam had been working quite successfully, having over a number of years served the number one shaft by using theirs as an upcast, and therefore part of the mine. In 1952 the first Power Loader Machine was installed in the Low Main seam where conditions were ideal. The type of machine introduced was the meco type.This machine whilst enjoying a certain amount of success had disadvantages, in losing time on turning round after completing its cut. It was not surprising then that after about 6 months the Trepanner machine replaced it on the same face, with amazing results. Output increased tremendously, and with the number of faceworkers being substantially reduced O.M.S. leaped ahead at much less per ton. This was supplemented by the introduction of powered chocks, soon several faces were equipped with this same machine and then the greatest break through in mining practice was achieved. In 1961 a further advancement took place in the form of the R.O.L.F. installation ( correctly termed REMOTELY OPERATED LONGWALL FACE ). This equipment introduced electronic equipment built up to control, without manual labour, all the face operations from a console unit in the Main Gate. It also increased the output at least four fold, and without the men, coal per ton was being won cheaper still. In 1966 this method of mining is being pursued where conditions make the operation practicable. Also the system of transport has been revolutionized by belts from the coal face feeding into a main bunker in the pit bottom, thereby reducing the number of ponies and practically cutting out all rope haulage methods. It will be appreciated that through the years, comparison of progress is not only interesting but prosperous, and it is on this last note that today Ormonde Colliery is enjoying the reputation of being one of the most up to date units in the country. Whilst salient points have been described over the years, there are many more events which could with a little more time be fitted in, but I trust at least these notes will serve as a guide in memorizing possible forgotten changes both in physical and mechanical ways. Most of the characters mentioned in these notes played no small contribution in the success of this colliery, for they laid the foundation by wise planning and pioneer work. I would draw attention at this stage to the several changes made at managerial level which have only been referred to briefly:- The first one which I became closely connected was in 192? when Mr. Needham ( "nicknamed Nudger" ) superseded Mr. Cooke as undermanager when the latter was appointed to a similar post at Bentley Colliery under Barber Walker & Co. Ltd. Mr. Needham came from Waingroves when the colliery in this village closed. I remember too, very well indeed Mr. B. D. Elliott,replacing H. R. Watson when this gentleman sustained a very serious head accident when a plate flew off a boiler whilst he was watching an examination. Mr. Elliott continued in his capacity until 1940 when Mr. J. G. Belfitt was appointed to take charge, In 1937 Mr. Needham resigned his post as Undermanager and was replaced by Mr. G. Bunting who continued until 1945 when he was transferred to Ollerton, Mr. T. L. Morris changing posts from that colliery. In the meantime Mr. H. Riley had succeeded Mr. Belfitt in 1943 and after continuing until 1945 he retired and Mr. Morris appointed as manager in that year. It was not until 1957 that he relinquished this position and Mr. D. Marriott took control in April of that year. Further Managers changed as also did undermanagers after this time. I am sure these notes at random would be incomplete without a mention being made of several well known characters who dedicated themselves to service at the colliery and although they have passed on long ago their peculiarities and qualities will remain a pleasant memory until remembering becomes one of no further consequence:- Surface.Geo Buxton ( "Buckey" ), Jack Wright ( labourer ), ( The man who put a cat in the oven to dry.? ), Jim Moon ( Pick Sharpener ), Thos Ernest Tagg ( Pump Man ), Robert Mather ( Blacksmith ), T. Harrison ( joiner ), Wm. Hicking & Son ( Blacksmiths ), Wm. Dexter ( Saddler ), J. Gaunt ( Time Keeper ), Ernest Hicking ( Carter ), Tony Birch ( Ambulance Driver ), Punch Joyce ( who was responsible for emptying middens ), Wm. Farnsworth ( affectionately known as " Billy Fartfire" ), H. Brown ( Lamp House ), Jack Grainger ( Power House ), Wm. Newton ( Power House ), Wm. Waplington ( Power House ), Chas Taylor ( Fitter ), Syd Gibson ( Fitter ), Festas Day ( Long Belt ), Ed. Tate ( Screens ), Alf. Orson ( Long Belt ), Tommy Naylor ( Surface Labourer ). The two checkweigh men were Isaiah Walker, and Tom Severn. Underground. Stallmen and Contractors. Frankie Lancashire & Sons, Wharton family, Asher family, Dan Fletcher, Albert Groves, Abel Eyre, Jack Webster, Wm. Stevens, Wm. Horabin, Wm. Blythe & Sons, Wm. Shelton, R. Marriott, Walter Bacon, Riggy Weston, Chas Battison, E. Battison, Osmonde Green, P. Bullock, Harry Hunt, Dan Palmer, S. Wilcoxson, J. Sleath?, Wm. Eldridge, Jack Cresswell, Thos. Smith, Jack Smith, Draper family, Dinkie Wain, Aston Joyce, " Pimmy" & Jimmy Davis, Jack Allsopp, Harry Woollins, James Radford, Hiram Eyre, Mouchy Mason, Ginger Wright, Jenner Booth, Steve Allen, Alf. Baldwin, Thos Brown, Albert Preston, Robert Gilbert, Moses Bamford, A. Brown, Arthur Hicking, Fred Hicking, Hy. Vickers, Swell Howitt, Walter Plumb ( Senr ) ( Regular Night Repairer ). Haulage Drivers. Wm. Horsley, Jack Bates, Chas Orme, J. Langley, Steve Shelton ( Rope Splicer ), Tracey Abbott ( Oiler ), Bernard Cope. One could continue with many more who figured prominently in the life and prosperity of the colliery but the above are the personalities who spring to readily to my mind. Finally it may be of interest to quote outstanding incidents during this period. Firstly in the 1921 and 1926 lock outs, the ponies were brought to the surface for a glimpse of daylight from the time taken underground. Much enjoyment, mixed with a sense of sorrow was experienced, when the time came for them to return underground from their freedom, and assistance was appreciated in catching them. This proved to be quite a difficult task. In the early part of 1926 a mishap occurred with the cage overwinding when the first batch of men were being lowered to commence work. The cage crashed about 30 feet from the pit bottom and several persons sustained serious injuries. These men had to be transported by the nightshift men to Bailey Brook, this being the only means of exit. Another incident which caused consternation was an occasion when the men were waiting to be lowered on the day shift. Wm. Towle, Thompson Street, Langley Mill was at the front of the queue, when he suddenly swooned, and lurching forward was in the process of falling down the shaft, when two persons grabbed his feet and eventually succeeded in dragging him to safety. On investigation it transpired he had not partaken of food for over 24 hours therefore the sudden collapse. In the first world war years when coal was required urgently, extra time was demanded by the management from half a day to three quarters on Saturdays. This arrangement interfered a great deal with players of local football teams fulfilling their fixtures. Punch Joyce who has already been referred to as being responsible for emptying lavatory pans had a Son Aston, who was a key player for Codnor Rangers at this time. On ascending the pit one particular Friday at the end of the shift, the usual notice was displayed which meant either a holiday or missing an important fixture. Whilst at home in the evening, he vent his rage in no uncertain manner within the hearing of his Father, in hoping by some miracle the blower would be set in motion at 10-45 am instead of 12-45 pm declaring the end of the shift. Next day things were quite normal until 10-45 am when the blower did go, and before the management could recover from the shock, messages to all parts of the mine had been sent so quickly, that it was not possible to prevent them from going home. Needless to say " Punch" had quietly decided that his Son would not be deprived of his sport so he had taken the plunge as described. Finally, there were two surface labourers, who, if ever together could never agree. Jack Wright, who was a bachelor had the reputation of having such a kind disposition that when a cat came in wet he put it in the oven to dry. The other person Tommy Naylor, also a bachelor, was unfortunately an epileptic. Many was the time when Tommy would be wrongly accused of throwing a fit purposely to escape work, and it was a usual sight to see Ted Warrington rousing him on these occasions with methods not considered very kind or understanding. However in conclusion, I trust these notes will open up thoughts of not only pleasure to those who remember, but also activities and incidents which happened in the good old days, and if these memories can be relived the effort in composing them is certainly not in vain. A. Hudson.