Miners Return to Lofthouse Colliery

[@richardharper751]

My dad Robert (Jim) Harper was one of the mine’s rescue team at that disaster so proud of him he’s still around god bless love dad so much

[@MrGormanga]

Brings back a lot of memories. My Dad, Fred Abbott was an overman at the Collier at the time of the disaster but was not on shift. My uncle Cyril, Dad's brother an their brother-in-law Joe Woodhead also worked at Lofthouse. Thanks for posting.

[@68bee]

Thank You for some great words Tony Banks

[@2eldeano]

Looking forward to visiting this old mining site when I get chance, some great words about its history Tony Banks, thank you.

[@johnbuxton6009]

I so remember the disaster.. As a ex miner.my thoughts are always coal. And the men and women who worked for the ncb and British coal.

[@danielgoldstone]

remember ledger lane school when we were told what had happened back then, walk dogs down there, its changed so much.

[@whitacrebespoke]

I think it was so very short sighted of the powers that be to remove all trace of these pits all over the uk. Here in north Warwickshire we have a nowt but a few half wingding wheels to show for 200years of mining. All uk coal/ harworth estates seem interested in is massive container depots to make them big money.

[@lordbelvoir2543]

Yeh should have kept one the headstocks and had a statue of Maggie Thatcher hanging from it

[@davidclark3603]

Well, coal is coming back. Imported energy is too expensive. Its getting worse. In this generation!

[@whitacrebespoke]

@@davidclark3603 we never stopped using it I guess but as you say importing it is getting more expensive. We will see as a lot of opposition to new pits in U.K.

[@Gypsythings1]

Not sure if u know of him and when the disaster happened my grandad mick Hartley went down to try and save the lads when he was in mine and rescue he worked at prince of wales colliery in Pontefract

[@daletomlinson5113]

Does your grandad know my grandad he's called Malcom Lambert? He worked at the same pit and went to the disaster to try help.

[@Gypsythings1]

@@daletomlinson5113 I'm not sure mate he sadly isnt with us so i wouldn't know but they more than likely would of

[@daletomlinson5113]

@@Gypsythings1 ive just asked my grandad if he knew your grandad and he said the only Hartley he knew was Terry Hartley and Kenny hartley I don't know if they are still a relation to you?

[@paulbrennan3996]

My uncle Sammy Dodd was a deputy at Lofthouse I think he was called in to help to try and get the lads out but to know avail . My uncle Sammy died in August 1980 . My dad was also a miner who worked at East Ardsley colliery until it closed in 1968 James Brennan he was called he had the chance of a transfer to go to Lofthouse but came out of mining and became a wagon driver. Mining was & is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world respect 👏to the men who worked at the Pits. 👏👊✊

[@iandaniels8386]

my dad worked their from 15 year old early 1950,s to when they sent him to wistow mine in 1981and finished feb 1994

[@paulbrennan3996]

@@iandaniels8386 I bet Ian my uncle Sammy Dodd knew your dad and possibly my Dad James Brennan. My uncle Sammy wanted to move to Selby but unfortunately he died a year before Lofthouse closed 🔒 and before the men got transferred

[@rosewhite---]

when mines shut dod landowners get compensation for coal left in ground?

[@daveconyard8946]

♥♥

[@davidclark3603]

That was really good that. Well, wether you like it or not, coal is coming back! It disappeared for several reasons. Too expensive, the clean air act, 1968. North sea gas (hah)! Cheaper to buy from abroad. "Climate change" Arthur Scargill, power cuts, strikes, too dangerous an industry, etc. And the list goes on, and on. We buy our gas, coal and other energy from abroad and its getting more and more expensive. Pollution free clean burn furnaces were invented years ago to stop smog. The clean air act of 1968! Well, imported energy is too expensive. Foreigners are not investing and modernising their mines which means we have to supply our own again. Yes, coal is coming back, bigger than it's ever been. Different methods than before, but the principles will be the same.