Hello Marianne and Kathy,
I am a grand-daughter of one of the miners who emigrated to Kirkby in Ashfield. My father
was just a few weeks old when my grandmother and uncle followed to join my grandfather.
A group of miners from Abertillery and Cwmtillery walked all the way to the Notts
coalfields looking for work. This was in 1923. East Kirkby is a ward of Kirkby in Ashfield
( which is named in the Domesday book). The pit community was tagged onto East Kirkby.
There was and still is just 5 streets, starting with David, Mary, Edward and Alexander
Street and running of Alexander Street - Marlborough Road. The Pit was known locally as
the Summit - the community was also known by this name. I grew up on Mary Street. My
mother still lives there.
The Pit was closed down in 1968 - it was the deepest mine in Britain. If you check out
www.cwmtillery.com site and click onto pictures, then album seven you will find a photo of
a group of the welsh miners, taken in 1925. They had begun a rugby club, all having played
back in Wales. My grandfather at one time was captain of Ebbw Vale, though born and
brought up on Abertillery. Not many of the Notts clubs would play with them (hints of
snobbery perhaps?). However for a number of alternate years they 'got a bus'
together and travelled back to Abertillery to play and the Wales contingent came up to
Kirkby. My Aunts can remember going down as children on the bus for the event.
If anyone can name any of the players, apart from those I have named, I am sure Les, the
webmaster, would be grateful.
Hope this helps. If any more info required please contact me.
Tricia Williams