Wheldale Colliery 1987/88 part 1

© P.Wormstone 1987
Feel free to view and share this work but any copying or use for financial gain is strictly prohibited without consent.
I worked at Wheldale from 1980 to 88, I started as an apprentice Electrician in Sept 80 and became the last Electrician at the mine as I volunteered to stay and oversee demolition during 87/88. Wheldale Colliery was situated on Wheldon Rd in Castleford, just a bit further up the road than the Cas Tigers ground. The shafts were sunk in 1868 and the pit was owned by the Airedale Collieries Company (including Allerton Bywater and Fryston). It was originally nicknamed the Doctors' Pit; as a Doctor Holt was one of the original business partners.
In 1948 Wheldale had the longest single conveyor belt in the world at a length of 1 mile long, installed by Sutcliffe mine engineers based at Universal Works, Horbury, Wakefield.
Wheldale was the last mine in Yorkshire to use pit ponies, they eventually came out of the mine at the start of the 1972 strike. Wheldale was also the last mine to operate a steam locomotive, during 1981/82.
The mine was eventually closed by 'Thatcher' in Oct 1987 a very sad day for all of us that worked there.
Part 1 Includes the car park, Time office, Baths and lamp room.
I filmed this movie on a shoulder mounted, VHS video camera which was very heavy so apologies for the dodgy camera work.
Apologies also for the poor film quality and the odd 'pit language', also ignore the dates on the film, most of them are wrong.
Enjoy
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[@waverleyrocker]

love the variety of colour cars in the carpark. much better than the sea of grey today.

[@anthonyhoult152]

I have just found your channel and must said I take my hat off to everyone of you.
I am a strong believer that this country was made by us working men in overalls and destroyed by men in suits!
This country has lost the plot and I feel so sad at how many trades we have lost that people have no idea how to do.
I do feel that I myself was not only born in the wrong era but my skills are will be lost when I am gone

[@markymark558]

hes not irish he was my dad Allister Fraser and was from Glasgow.sadly he passed away but thanks for posting the video.was great to see him and i know where my radio went its the one behind him lol

[@pairojeans]

Thanks Paul, proud to watch your video, yorshireman and miner too, there's nowt better in my humble opnion. I was suppose to go down the pit too (left school 1987) but Maggie closed them all!
No need to apologize either mate I understand fully - my generation!
Cheers to the lads!

[@mrbritvic]

thanks paul for putting these videos on you tube -i remember you lugging the enormous camera around and always hoped the films would surface someday-the memories are flooding back- to see the electric shop especially -i can show my kids and grandkids that on my first day at wheldale i was sweeping the floor and benches there -also to see my old mate" masher" whos catchphrases i still use today- rip alan - doddy

[@sackurfromcas]

bloody hell,some old faces there,i worked at wheldale from 76, all the faces i have just seen ,i remember,some great memories of wheldale,i was a ropes plicer there,the sensible one, live in thailand now 20 yrs,but still talk about my days at wheldale,when i was the hardest worker there.hahahaha

[@oldnormyguy]

Glad you enjoyed the movie Pete. Been at Kellingley now for 25 years but still think of myself as a 'Daler'. Too many old faces gone, 'Masher', Terry Harrison, John 'Watto' Watson to name but a few...could do with a reunion while there's still some of us left

[@stillages1]

I know this is 9 years later, but Terry Harrison became a good friend of mine at Kellingley

[@mrbritvic]

great to see ian and shaun (i still have that barry manilow tape u gave me )woody and terry- sad that we have lost some great characters don and kev and masher but the banter in the bar at Gods WMC will be great

[@markymark558]

my dad worked in the time office Allister Fraser hes the Irish guy,eventhough he was Scottish lol

[@oldnormyguy]

Yes...all mostly demolished in 1989/90

[@nw8000]

Has all this gone now?

[@oldnormyguy]

I am trying to contact Matt Kitchen (worked in the Baths at Wheldale in 1987/88) I think he lives in Castleford. If anyone has any contact details for Matt please contact me at [e-mail]