Mainsforth Colliery: Difference between revisions

Mainsforth Colliery operated from 1872- to 1968, [[Coal mining in the United Kingdom |mining coal in the UK]], deep [[Underground mining (soft rock)| underground]].<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.durhamrecordoffice.org.uk/article/11116?SearchType=AtoZ&SearchOn=Town&SearchStart=M&ItemID=895&layer=1&sheet=35SW|title=Durham Collieries item|date=December 15, 2016|via=www.durhamrecordoffice.org.uk}}</ref>

The name ‘Mainsforth’ is thought to mean the ford of someone called Maino (a Germanic name) and the ford probably crossed the boggy land called ‘The Carrs’ to the west.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://englandsnortheast.co.uk/sedgefield-bishop-middleham/ | title=SEDGEFIELD AND BISHOP MIDDLEHAM}}</ref>

In 1872 Mainsforth Colliery opened. In 1873 two shafts, the East and the West, were sunk 270ft270&nbsp;ft to the Five Quarter seam. It was worked until 1876 before being laid in. These workings were abandoned by 1877 and the shafts used as a rubbish dump. 23 years later, in 1900 the Carlton Iron Company re-excavated the abandoned shafts and de-watered the workings. The Colliery reopened in 1904 and the company deepened the shafts to the Harvey seam and to prove the Busty and Brockwell seams.

The Mainsforth Coal Company operated the mine initially. The Carlton iron Company took over in the 1890s. Ownership passed to Dorman and Long of Middlesbrough in the 1920s. In 1947 the [[National Coal Board]] took over, following nationalisation of the mines.

When the Dean & Chapter Colliery closed on 15 January 1966, it stopped pumping and the water ran to Chilton, Leasingthorne and Mainsforth, reaching Mainsforth in September 1967. This caused Mainsforth Colliery's closure in December 1968. The last shift at Mainsforth Colliery was on December 6, 1968.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/history/9406761.last-shift-mainsforth-colliery/ | title=The last shift at Mainsforth Colliery}}</ref>

The Dean and Chapter Colliery and Mainsforth Colliery were the main employers in the area.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.keystothepast.info/article/10339/Site-Details?PRN=D6793 | title=Local History: Ferryhill (County Durham)}} </ref>

Mainsforth Colliery Welfare Institute, Ferryhill Station, County Durham is a venue for arts music and theatre. It is currently home to the Mainsforth Community Centre.<ref> {{cite web| url=https://fr-fr.facebook.com/pages/Mainsforth-Community-Centre/170010949703885 | title=Mainsforth Community Centre }} </ref>

[[Norman Cornish]] redeployed to Mainsforth Colliery in 1962 from the Dean and Chapter Colliery before its closure. It was in this period that Norman<ref>{{cite web |title=Norman Cornish |url=https://normancornish.com/ |website=normancornish.com}}</ref> painted the celebrated ‘[[Durham Miners' Gala]] Mural’.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://normancornish.com/homepage/latest-news/619-the-story-of-the-durham-miners-gala-mural-11 | title=The story of the durham-miners gala mural }} </ref>

The miners of the Mainsforth Colliery formed the Ferryhill Town Band in 1909. (This was initially named the Mainsforth Colliery Brass Band). In the early years the miners contributed 1/2d per week to support the band.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.ibew.org.uk/cach-ferr.htm | title=Ferryhill Town Band }} </ref>

Miners from the nearby Mainsforth colliery founded the Mainsforth [[Cricket]] Club in the early 1900's1900s.

Mainsforth Bowling Club was first established in the early 1900’s1900s to play lawn [[Bowls|bowls]], with the majority of players also working at the pit.

In 1925, a [[war memorial]] that erected to commemorate those men who worked for the Mainsforth Colliery officially opened.

The plaque is rectangular grey marble, topped by curved moulded cornice. The centre contains a carved laurel wreath surrounded by the inscription: MAINSFORTH COLLIERY AND FERRYHILL STATION, WAR MEMORIAL, 1914-19191914–1919. Below, three columns of text list the names of all those who died and beneath that is inscribed: THEIR NAME LIVETH FOREVER.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/67898| title=War Memorial Cottage 1}} </ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.keystothepast.info/article/10339/Site-Details?PRN=D35945| title=War Memorial Cottage 2}} </ref>

During the [[Second World War]] conscripts worked the mine. The [[Bevin Boys]] were based at a camp established off Dean Road at the southern edge of Ferryhill, near the A167.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/history/14925382.bevin-boys-called-wartime-mines-ran-short-men/ |title=Bevin Boys}} </ref>

Much of the former colliery area is now a Durham County Council Wood.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/mainsforth-colliery-reclamation/ | title=Durham County Council Wood}} </ref>

In 1974 land which is part of the former site of Mainsforth Colliery was conveyed to the then Sedgefield District Council before being transferred in 1998 to Ferryhill Town Council,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.ferryhill.gov.uk/information_documents/Ferryhill_Information_Booklet.pdf| title=Ferryhill Information Booklet}} </ref> who maintain a park and sports complex on the site.

* Cricket field with pavilion - this is run by Mainsforth Cricket and Social Club [https://mainsforth.play-cricket.com/ Mainsforth CC]. In recent years the cricket ground has played host to many representative games involving Durham County Cricket Club, and is regarded as one of the best in the county with six teams currently playing for the club as well as youth teams.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.facebook.com/mainsforthcc/ | title=Mainsforth Cricket Club}}.</ref>

Mineral extraction is still a key industry for the area. The nearby Thrislington Quarry<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.tarmac.com/thrislington-quarry/ | title=Thrislington Quarry website}}</ref> provides sand and dolomite (magnesian limestone). The colliery site and the quarry are adjacent to the [[Thrislington Plantation]]. The quarry is destined to become a [[landfill]] site.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://durhamcc-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/cdp_ce/new_sites?pointId=1287653688184| archive-url=https://archive.is/20130420223717/http://durhamcc-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/cdp_ce/new_sites?pointId=1287653688184| url-status=dead| archive-date=20 April 2013| title=4 Decisions on Strategic Sites Proposed in the Core Strategy Issues| publisher=[[Durham County Council]]| date=July 2011| accessdateaccess-date=24 March 2013}}</ref>

Ecological reports commissioned for planning applications on the site have shown that the area is biodiverse. ''link and reference to follow''.