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-   -   Whittle Colliery Mining to resume? (https://www.coquetandcoast.co.uk/amble-northumberland/showthread.php?t=8)

Coquet 26-03-2010 01:54 PM

Whittle Colliery Mining to resume?
 
Noticed on the front page of the Northumberland Gazette (25/3/2010) that a company called EuroMining Ltd are on site at Whittle Colliery.

Rumours of mining restarting are going around?

Apparently though they have been ordered by the council to remove the accommodation block that has appeared on the site.

Photo we took a few weeks ago:


http://www.coquetandcoast.co.uk/imag...e_colliery.jpg

Pete 15-04-2010 10:21 PM

I thought water pumping had ceased at Whittle some years ago?

Coquet 16-04-2010 11:58 AM

Worked there myself in the 80s but have not been keeping up to date with the recent history of the place.

I do know when it sold to the private mining company in the 1990s they went for the easy option - removed the coal pillar between the two arterial west drivage roadways (also main intake and return roadways) thus removing access to coal in the west, and collapsing several miles of tunnel as 'goaf'

The Drift I assume has been at least partly filled in - no trace on google maps of the entrance. A second means of egress & ventilation shaft existed a few hundred metres or so north of the drift, this also appears to have gone. A third ventilation shaft at a place called 'Overgrass' at a mile or so the other side of the A1 was sunk in the 80s - what has happened to that I dont know. (you could shout up and down this shaft between the bottom and the surface. I recall the booster fan at the bottom of this shaft - it was a monster (for Whittle) with a 500kw motor.

The Whittle workings were connected to Shillbottle Colliery workings underground too but I think Shillbottle shafts are filled in.


Not to mention the flooding, gas etc. problems facing anyone trying to reopen assumming some form of access still exists. Basically a near impossible task.

Coquet 16-04-2010 12:17 PM

Actually the only shaft I can think of that is 'open' in the district is Hauxley, which had a concrete cap fitted, or at least that was the situation with it in the early 90s. Although it will be in some state with 60 years of neglect. Again though once flooded virtually impossible to reopen I believe.

Funnily enough there are apparently massive reserves of coal off the coast at Amble and Hauxley; Ellington Colliery was going for these but Ellington now too is history. Ellington actually sucessfully passed through the main area of faulting, the Hauxley fault, and the igneous rock body the 'Causey Park Dyke' and its associated fault which were the main obstacles to this area- spending millions doing so in the 80s, then they abandoned the project due to the coal rank in the new area being too high for Alcan power station, their primary customer. There were rumors of going back north for the next 20 odd years but it never happened.

Coquet 16-04-2010 12:30 PM

Just been having another look at google maps, this is where the Whittle drift entrance was I believe:

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ms...00201,0.005659


Bizarrely there is a 'black hole' here:


http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&so...00283&t=k&z=19



which would not be far from the other shaft entrance? Surely that's something that just 'looks like' a hole in the ground???? :eek:

Pete 16-04-2010 06:22 PM

That black hole looks like it may be standing water Mike.
Some of my pals went to work at Whittle when it was being privately run. They reckoned it was like stepping back in time 200 years after working at Ellington :D
It's a crime that we no longer have any deep mines, although 'elf n safety would probably close them anyway.

Coquet 10-12-2011 08:51 PM

On the subject of shafts and drifts into the Whittle / Shilbottle mine, I've just recalled that there was another drift somewhere to the left in the picture above. That was the original Whittle drift. The "modern" drift was 1/2 a mile straight ahead in the picture.

The old workings between the original drift and the modern drift were permanently flooded as a "standage" or water storage area for a large pumping station near the bottom of the modern drift.

Coquet 07-01-2012 07:52 PM

"Digging around" excuse the pun - there appears to be 9 recorded shafts or drifts, and probably more on the 54 acre site.

Or so says this (old?) Whittle Colliery sales piece: Knight Frank pdf

found some online pics of what I assume is the old drift?

http://alnwickphotos.blogspot.com/20...umberland.html

curious, never seen those before.

On the old 1923 OS map there are shown two drifts in close proximity to each other.

Coquet 07-01-2012 07:59 PM

2.5 million tons of coal left allegedly, and the highest quality house coal too.

At today's conservative price of £17 for 50kg or £340 per ton then that's a cool £850 million pounds worth. (that's coal merchant selling prices.)



Not much chance of getting permission to mine again though. Preferred scheme for the site is log cabins or something!

phil 31-07-2012 05:24 PM

iam a exminer at whittle and ellington, i thought pumping was stopped long ago , at whittle i got told when it went private they robbed the easy coal between belt road and loco road . the accommateing block is still there. i worked at the mines with my 2 brothers.

Coquet 31-07-2012 08:15 PM

Hi Phil, welcome to the forum.

yes that's what they did, took the coal out between the Loco road and belt road.

I was looking at the sales pitch in the post above by 'Knight Frank', who was trying to market it with 2.5 million tons of coal left, and was wondering where that coal is supposed to be.

If I remember rightly they can only be talking about the lowest part, the 'Shilbottle side' as we called it, which was the 'future of the pit' (ha!), that is on from the faces Y31 and Y32, and another winning to the south of that. Although the whole pit is flooded even up the drift, so wishful thinking on their part.

Coquet 07-09-2012 06:30 PM

This sketch might be interesting to a few ex Whittlers. [Courtesy local mining historian Alan Jamieson]:


http://www.coquetandcoast.co.uk/imag..._colliery2.jpg


Low resolution base map; © Crown copyright and database rights. Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey.

Coquet 07-09-2012 06:33 PM

I can remember the shortening of Y66 coal face due to a fault. [note the dog-leg] Quite a job. The guys worked round the clock 7 days a week in the most atrocious conditions.

hollydog 08-09-2012 10:44 AM

Very interesting to see maps like this. I, for one, would like you to perhaps sometime produce an "idiots" guide to mining at Whittle as most people have no comprehension of what the mining at Shilbottle and Whittle entailed and how the coal was won.
That would keep you busy for a while!

Coquet 10-09-2012 12:56 PM

1 Attachment(s)
Quote:

Originally Posted by hollydog (Post 971)
Very interesting to see maps like this. I, for one, would like you to perhaps sometime produce an "idiots" guide to mining at Whittle as most people have no comprehension of what the mining at Shilbottle and Whittle entailed and how the coal was won.
That would keep you busy for a while!


It would be quite a challenge, with my memory too!

I have a small number of cuttings relating to the final year of Whittle; this one from the Coal News July 1986. Y332 is Y32 on the plan above, Y333 would be the next face west, but the place was closed before work on that one was completed. There's some mining speak in there but you can get the general idea that the guys are doing the very best they can:

SUPER SYSTEM OPENS FACE FASTER
by Chris Crouch

NORTHUMBERLAND pitmen working by the old Great North Road have achieved an Al performance to drive a new face in record time — and help repay a multi-thousand-pound investment in their future.

A new mining system for 65-year-old Whittle drift enabled development men to complete a 275-metres drivage and equip Y332 in only 11 weeks — a job that would have taken twice as long in the past.
"Some people said it was an unrealistic target, but we achieved it a week ahead of schedule through tremendous team work," says manager George Heydon. "The men's attitude was a deciding factor — and we now need the same effort to get 333s ready by the end of the year." Face teams who work some of the thinnest seams in the country - — taking only 28 inches of coal — saw a down turn in production when one of their two faces ran into a further series of geological problems.
With the mine averaging 1,400 tonnes saleable a day, it became vital for Y332s face — planned as their first 2,000-tonnes-a-day unit — to be ready as soon as possible to improve output.
"We were running two shortened mechanised faces which were in trouble with both geology and water," says Mr Heydon. "It was imperative we develop a replacement face in three months because all the indications were that faulting would bring Y66s to an end around the end of May — and we've been very accurate in our forecast."

Launched

The new development technique involved advancing a completed AFC systematically with every metre driven. Both ends of the face were equipped with pan launchers which pushed the completed face conveyor on by one pan at a time.
"The old system, driving separately, would have taken 15 weeks for the same distance — then to equip the conveyor another two weeks," adds Mr Heydon.
Helping the pace-setting pitmen into the twin advancing headings were 23-feet-long Dosco MkIIA Roadheaders. In the maingate the 100-metre stage loader — carrying all services required for the face — was moved by UMM roll rammers, a new system for the region.
Capable of pushing 180 tonnes, the rammers first lift then move the loader forward, saving time and cutting out all the major operations of moving equipment.
In the tailgate, a hydraulic bunkering technique immediately behind the Dosco machine was planned instead of building a conventional bunker. It was backed by a crush-and-blow stower which put debris from the heading direct into the packs.
The new face, 5,000 metres from the drift top in the Third West district and supported by 267 Dowty 5 by 150 chocks, uses an Eickhoff in-web shearer with the latest 60mm picks which can go down to a 33-inch section, necessary for quality control.
"In the last 15 months we've had an intense programme of development and re-mechanisation," adds Mr Heydon.

phil 12-09-2012 06:55 PM

whittle workings
 
the map has moved down on whittle workings, overgrass is below all workings as overgrass is at the top y19 . not all workings were y some were a, i as a pipeman worked at a4 bore hole from loco to belt road, there was a bore hole that went from swarland spring wood down to the top of y58.

Coquet 12-09-2012 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phil (Post 998)
the map has moved down on whittle workings, overgrass is below all workings as overgrass is at the top y19 . not all workings were y some were a, i as a pipeman worked at a4 bore hole from loco to belt road, there was a bore hole that went from swarland spring wood down to the top of y58.


I noticed it was wrong too, didn't think anyone else would!

I think it needs rotated anti-clockwise until y19 lines up with the Overgrass shafts as you say. this would bring the shaft that's a few hundred yards from the drift into the correct position (as it is, the shaft is up the hill in an old quarry)

Coquet 12-09-2012 08:08 PM

This is the Overgrass building I believe:

http://goo.gl/maps/HEEQU

Coquet 12-09-2012 08:18 PM

red dots have to come together?

is that the right gateway the shaft holed into Phil?

http://www.coquetandcoast.co.uk/imag..._colliery4.jpg

Coquet 12-09-2012 08:23 PM

Can you remember the fan at the bottom of that shaft? 500kw - noise? you've not heard anything like it. Nearly made your false teeth fall out.

Alan J. 13-09-2012 10:18 AM

Lining up of Whittle Workings.
 
The plan superimposed onto the map was drawn from an actual Whittle plan but it did not give any surface reference points. I had therefore to try to draw it from my basic knowledge of the location of the Whittle drift, I was a Shilbottle man and only ever went down Whittle once and that was to travel the escape route from Shilbottle. This explains why the plan is out.

Coquet 13-09-2012 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan J. (Post 1004)
The plan superimposed onto the map was drawn from an actual Whittle plan but it did not give any surface reference points. I had therefore to try to draw it from my basic knowledge of the location of the Whittle drift, I was a Shilbottle man and only ever went down Whittle once and that was to travel the escape route from Shilbottle. This explains why the plan is out.


No problem Alan, the important part is the mine layout. I'll rotate it around when I get time (if I can think up a way to do it!)

Coquet 13-09-2012 02:38 PM

this is it rotated 32 degrees, overgrass shaft lines up with y18 (red dot)
and the drift about in position, perhaps a bit to the west.


just a rough 1st attempt.


now where did the overgrass shaft intesect the mine workings? was it y18 or y19, and how far up the gateway from the loco road??



http://www.coquetandcoast.co.uk/images/plot1.jpg

Alan J. 13-09-2012 04:02 PM

Surface boreholes.
 
The ventilation boreholes were about 3/4 of the way up the gateway from the loco road in Y19 gateway. There is a fan shown at the bottom of this gateway and all the return air gathers there to go up the boreholes.

phil 13-09-2012 05:10 PM

whittle
 
yes i thought that building along overgrass road might be the fan house , i never went up y19 , but there was plenty noise and draft at the bottom 5 yards from loco road. i was told someone wanted to turn the fan house into a home.

phil 13-09-2012 05:59 PM

whittle
 
its a pity no one has drawings of whittle old workings, shilbottle , or newton on the moor , or longframlington old workings.

Coquet 14-09-2012 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phil (Post 1009)
its a pity no one has drawings of whittle old workings, shilbottle , or newton on the moor , or longframlington old workings.


The abandonment plans should exist somewhere; It's been a legal requirement to record them since 1872. The Coal Authority have them and Woodhorn Archives have some as well.

Coquet 14-09-2012 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan J. (Post 1007)
The ventilation boreholes were about 3/4 of the way up the gateway from the loco road in Y19 gateway. There is a fan shown at the bottom of this gateway and all the return air gathers there to go up the boreholes.


Cheers Alan, It's a slight scale problem with the base map then, I'll adjust it and we'll be in business.



http://www.coquetandcoast.co.uk/images/whittle2.jpg

Coquet 15-09-2012 11:24 AM

Y101 and Y102 were very wet. I note that they pass right under Swarland Burn, and it looks like from the other faces to the north that there is faulting present along the approximate line of Swarland Burn. I used to drink the water running in through the roof in the gates of those faces. Saved carrying a water bottle. :D

Alan J. 15-09-2012 12:21 PM

New location of workings.
 
Well done, that is now spot on with the surveyors plans. Y64 & 65 look very close to the location of the old Longframlington colliery, this was where the wooden chalets are now sited on the road to Newton on the Moor.

phil 15-09-2012 03:54 PM

whittle
 
i remember working in y103 tail gate up to the knees in water with oil skins on stopping water down my back. when i started at whittle first went to y25 mother gate this had top water, then in to y23 mother gate where there was props in the middle keeping up the girders,girder lads put one end girder on the belt and carryed the other end passing around props ,girder lads knocker,dog,bottle . overman jackie haliday.

phil 16-09-2012 11:14 AM

can anyone tell me if there was a pit at craigside ? , as when we had a military vehicle show at craigside my uncle said to a lad have you been swimming at the top side of craigside, as he had rusty water on him. unless there is a water outlet from debdon colliery?.

janwhin 16-09-2012 11:46 AM

Phil, if you look at the Rothbury thread about Capt Redhead, you will see some exchanges about Debdon colliery, which would be above Cragside. That might be the one you're thinking of.

janwhin 16-09-2012 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janwhin (Post 1024)
Phil, if you look at the Rothbury thread about Capt Redhead, you will see some exchanges about Debdon colliery, which would be above Cragside. That might be the one you're thinking of.

Sorry Phil, I see you've mentioned Debdon. I've just been reading a bit about Cragside in Dippie Dixon's book where he talks about the building of the estate...no mention of a pit at Cragside.

phil 16-09-2012 03:58 PM

if you look from craigside towards alnwick debdon is on the left i believe this water on the right of craigside on the backside of the hill.

Coquet 10-11-2012 12:35 AM

Regarding Whittle Phil, there was a connection from the 'low side' to 'top side' (is that what we called it?) through a couple of gateways for coal and supplies.

A bunker sat at the bottom of y58, coal going up to the 'top side' belt line from this.

but which roadway was the supply road in? was that y58 tailgate or y59 or something? I remember a clever thing called a GMT curve at the bottom.

These connections are missing from the plan above

phil 11-11-2012 10:52 AM

the suppy road was y59t/g. The GMT system went down y59t/g then round the curve onto 1 west winnings all the way into y66 . If you went from y58 bunker inbye you come to the causey park dyke (wyne stone) the head end was commonly called Jeffs head end ,what gate was north drivage at , why was at called this ?. I was talking to "JR" Dawson who is at six-t media they have coal mineing dvd:s , he was telling me Jacky Haliday is still going ,but ? Archibolt is gone , what was your overman called coguet ?.

Coquet 11-11-2012 01:42 PM

I recall a Geordie Spears? He used to sit at that bunker at 58 to stop the troops riding the belts out for an early 'Lowse' :D

Are there any DVD's of anything to do with Whittle or Shilbottle? I may be wrong but I think the GMT curves were filmed in action at Whittle. They must have been a big deal!

I think we were warned not to walk on the tight side of the curve in case you got cut in two by the rope! (if it came out of its guides or something at that moment)

phil 17-11-2012 05:16 PM

whittle colliery
 
i remember Geordie Spears he spent a lot of time around y103 shearer face. we were warned about the inside of curve, Arthour Good was in charge of the GMT set , if you wanted to get by Geordie you had go onto supply road passed GMT curve headding outbye along the old road way turn left through small air door onto y58 belt road jump onto belt ride to top then ride next belt outbye , do you remember the booster belt at north driveage where one belt on top of another to boost it, if you rode this belt from y58 top non stop to go past north driveage you had to put your self rescurer to one side of your hip and battery to the other side and your head on one side and hope you get though ,i used to do this the things we did to get out sharp!. JR said there is dvds comming with Whittle in it ,but not just yet.

janwhin 17-11-2012 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phil (Post 1278)
Arthour Good was in charge of the GMT set ,

I know an Arthur Good, was he from North Broomhill?


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