In the late nineteenth century a resident of Pinxton, John King, invented and patented a detaching hook for mine cages which prevented 'overwinds' and is credited with saving the lives of a great many miners. His old workshop was converted into a small museum and is established in the village dedicated to him and a memorial in the form of the colliery headstocks that you can see here with a 'detaching hook', situated at the crossroads as you enter the village from the motorway, opposite the Greyhound Inn.