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#1
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'The Colliery Polis'
I was fascinated to hear recent recollections of the 'colliery polis' (colloq). I'd never heard of such a law enforcement officer, even in my mining days, but apparently they were once a force to be reckoned with!
Does anyone remember them and what, if any, powers they had? This recollection was specific to Radcliffe and Hauxley but I can't imagine they only existed here? |
#2
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I recall the security officer at Whittle. I can picture the guy but cannot remember his name. He spent a lot of time in the powder magazine? Did he have two jobs or just like it in there?
Only ever went in the powder magazine once with Ronnie Cadwallender*, electrician. We were mucking about with the lights for some reason. (*who can remember him? I went to Ellington Colliery and ended up working in the same 'continuous miner' flat with his brother Freddy Cadwallender, also an electrician. ) |
#3
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There are a number of incidents of minor crime recorded on colliery premises making it to court and thus published in the press. I can see reports from the 50s and 60s where the 'colliery security officer' generally gets a mention. It's mostly petty theft and vandalism. Nothing specific for our local collieries but I'm sure they are there somewhere.
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#4
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I remember Ronnie very well, I learned lots from him and Sid during my couple of months in the Electrical Workshops at Whittle. (interesting and unusual surname I always thought).
I have no recollection of a security guy at Whittle! Who was he? I do remember a guy who shared the training office with Dougie Waller the training officer but never knew who he was. He was often found in front of the fire in the Joiners shop where you had to knock to get in, it was locked from the inside! The only time I went to the powder magazine was when I did my face training (Y62 topside) to collect the 'powder box' for the days shot firing, never got inside though! |
#5
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Was Peter Mattison not the security officer for Whittle ?
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#6
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Could be. He was ex-police or ex-army I seem to remember.
Did Shilbottle have one? |
#7
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I remember Peter Maddison now that you mention him, I never knew what he did! I thought he was a van driver as thats the only place I ever saw him other than I once met him at Brotherwick Sidings (in his van) when I was helping repair train. Ken Middlemiss was driving it he used to live near me in Amble.
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