Description: Whitwell Colliery was one of five collieries, which were originally owned by the Shireoaks Colliery Company Limited. The other collieries were Shireoaks, Steetley (originally 'Manor Pits, Darfoulds'), Clowne Southgate and Harry Crofts (near Kiveton). Shireoaks Colliery Co. obtained the lease to sink Whitwell Colliery on Belph Moor in February, 1890 and His Grace, the sixth Duke of Portland lifted the first sod on Saturday, 24th May 1890. The ceremony was performed exactly 36 years after the 5th Duke of Newcastle had lifted the first sod for the site of Shireoaks Colliery. Incidentally, the 4th Duke of Newcastle proved the viability of the coalfield by a borehole commissioned at Lady Lee, near his Shireoaks estate. Naturally there were great celebrations at Whitwell on the opening day. A marquee was erected on the Common, bedecked with flowers and shrubs from the Duke's gardens, which were arranged by Mr. Horton, the head gardener. Among a gathering of well-known persons of the day was Canon G. E. Mason, whose speech reflected his respect for and devotion to the miners. Two small incidents are worthy of record. The turf of grass, which the Duke removed, was 'spirited' away to resume life in 'Slaney's Orchard' in the Square. Also, three years old William Richardson was stood in the place from where the turf was taken, thus a Bakestone Moor resident, who later gave 47 years unbroken service to the colliery, became the first person 'to go down Whitwell pit'. Of the original five collieries, only Shireoaks remains and, despite tremendous investment and development in recent years, its future remains in doubt. The original intention had been to have one shaft at Whitwell, working in conjunction with the one shaft at Steetley to provide ventilation: the Steetley shaft would serve as the intake (downcast) and Whitwell shaft as the return (uptake). Mr. Richard Enos Jones, the first colliery manager, was in charge of the enterprise, although the first person to be engaged, as General Foreman and Timekeeper, was Mr. S. Holbrook on 4th April, 1889, while making lime kilns at Southfield Lane quarry. Mr. Aaron Barnes was in charge of the actual sinking operations. Some 22 men, resting only on Saturday afternoons and Sundays, worked in two teams of 11 men for 17 months, to reach the Top Hard seam at a depth of 311 yards on Friday, 23rd October, 1891. The shaft passed through a water bearing strata at 200 yards, capable of discharging 1000 gal/min if uncontrolled, necessitating the use of a considerable amount of tubbing in this part of the shaft. About 130 yards lower down a good seam of coal - the High Hazel or Barber's Coal - was found. The total cost of sinking No. 1 shaft was £19,573:12s:5d. A heading was then driven out from the shaft bottom to Steetley, to establish the ventilation system: the link was made in 1894 at a cost of £18,666:1s:8d. Coal production started on a regular basis on 15th April, 1894. Mr. Fred Lee, Creswell was awarded the contract for mineral screening; initially done by hand, a tippler was soon transferred from Clowne Southgate to empty the tubs. One year later the first double-deck cages were installed; at the same time as a horse-drawn ambulance was provided from Worksop and the foundations for the first colliery houses were laid. There was a period of stop/start with the sinking of No. 2 shaft. However, sinking began in earnest in October, 1896 and the Top Hard seam was reached on 15th March, 1898. The system of ventilation was then altered, so that No. 1 shaft became the intake (downcast) and No. 2 shaft became the return (upcast): Steetley was then reliant upon Whitwell and Shireoaks for its ventilation. On Tuesday, 3rd June, 1986 the announcement was made that coal production would cease at the end of June. Newspapers reported: 'Continuing heavy losses of around £8 million over the last year show that there is no viable future for Whitwell Colliery.' Cost of producing coal at this time was £69 per ton against a selling price of £42. Of the workforce of 750, those transferring to other collieries numbered 389, the majority of the remainder (aged over 50) accepted early retirement. The last worker finished in July 1987. In a short space of time the colliery surface altered dramatically. The steel headwork of No. 1 shaft was demolished on 20th March 1987 followed by the more difficult headstock of No. 2 shaft, which had been encased in reinforced concrete. The final act of demolition was by an explosive charge, fired at the base of the structure on 10th April, 1987. The shafts were filled in and sealed off: a massive amount of capital equipment had been left underground including rails, haulage and machinery. Most of the surface buildings were also demolished. The end of an era, 96 years of colliery working has left an indelible influence on the life of the parish. (information from www.wlhg.co.uk)