With the demise of British Coal some years ago - the responsibility of
keeping the coal mining records and some of their legal liabilities, was
transfered by the Government to 'the Coal Authority'. I understand that
they have 'inherited' all the former National Coal Board, British Coal
records etc. - they are a Government body, whereas the old working mines
were sold off to private companies at the same time.
They are now located in the Midlands in the Burton on Trent area, I think.
They ought to have their own website setting out exactly what they do, types
of records held etc.. So the records of the former Welsh coalfield are now
held in England !!
A.J.
----- Original Message -----
From: W.H.Thomas <wthomas(a)clear.net.nz>
To: <CARMARTHENSHIRE-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2001 1:10 AM
Subject: Re: [Cmn-L] New Cross Hands Colliery
Justin,
I was born at Cross Hands near to the supermarket that's located there.
My Father worked in this mine, first as a miner and subsequently s a
foreman
before joining the management at the Mynydd Mawr colliery,Tumble.
My Grandfather also worked at the Crosshands colliery and before that at
the
'Black' colliery, a mile or so to the north of Crosshands,
near Gorslas.
This mine closed the beginning of last Century.
Between the XHands colliery and the Mynydd Mawr colliery was located the
Blaenhirwaun colliery. Two other mines were located within one or two
miles
from Blaenhirwaun, one at Drefach which closed in the early 20's
and the
other at Cwmmawr. This was the beginning,geographically, of the Gwendraeth
Valley which had numerous coalmines namely:
Gwaith yCwm,Glyn hebog, Pontyberem,Ponthenry, Pontyates, Carway and
Trimsaran.
All these closed when the industry was centralised in the one mechanised
mine at Cynheidre which also closed through the obscene policies of Maggie
Thatcher.
I hope this information is at lest interesting if not useful for your
research. Wil Thomas
----- Original Message -----
From: Justin Davies <justin_davies(a)onetel.net.uk>
To: <CARMARTHENSHIRE-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Friday, 30 November 2001 12:25
Subject: Re: [Cmn-L] New Cross Hands Colliery
> Thanks VERY much to all of you who gave me some useful leads that I'll
> certainly follow-up. Two of my gt-grandfathers worked in that pit early
> last century and one of them is still down there (what was
euphemistically
> called a "fall of stone"). I believe that the Leekes
supermarket covers
part
> of the site but not sure if that is the case or not.
> Thanks again!
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Davies, Elwyn <Elwyn.Davies(a)wh.org.au>
> To: <CARMARTHENSHIRE-L(a)rootsweb.com>
> Sent: 29 November 2001 22:07
> Subject: RE: [Cmn-L] New Cross Hands Colliery
>
>
> > Justin
> >
> > The National Coal Board - although not formed when this colliery was
in
> > operation was / is required under legislation to keep
records of
> whereabouts
> > and other information on all collieries and old mines.
> >
> > It sounds a though the book that Alan suggests may have a lot of this
info
> > though.
> >
> > Elwyn Davies (former Cynheidre collier!)
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Alan Jones [mailto:a.j.jones@ntlworld.com]
> > Sent: Friday, 30 November 2001 8:40
> > To: CARMARTHENSHIRE-L(a)rootsweb.com
> > Subject: Re: [Cmn-L] New Cross Hands Colliery
> >
> >
> >
> > Was a book in Welsh on 'The Collieries of the Gwendraeth Valley'
printed
> > about 10 years ago. This had all the local collieries with
information
on
> > their whereabouts, when shafts/drifts sunk, seams worked etc. - but
hads
> > little info on individuals that worked in them. This may be
of use for
> > general info. Probably available in a local library in the area.
> >
> > Title was something like ' Glofeydd Cwm Gwendraeth'.
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Justin Davies <justin_davies(a)onetel.net.uk>
> > To: <CARMARTHENSHIRE-L(a)rootsweb.com>
> > Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2001 8:15 PM
> > Subject: [Cmn-L] New Cross Hands Colliery
> >
> >
> > > Hi,
> > > Slightly off-topic but at least it's not another mailing about
> viruses:-)
> > Does anyone know where I can get any info on New Cross Hands Colliery
in
> the
> > period after WW1 to the mid 1930s? Or does anyone know of anyone who
> knows
> > about the mines in that area?
> > > Thanks,
> > > Justin
> > >
> > >
> > > ==== CARMARTHENSHIRE Mailing List ====
> > > Carmarthenshire FHS can be contacted by telephone: 01554-784875
> > > Only general enquiries please, No research or lookups carried out on
the
> > telephone.
> > >
> >
> >
> > ==== CARMARTHENSHIRE Mailing List ====
> > Carmarthenshire & South Wales Information in Photographs & Information
> >
http://www.carmarthenshirefhs.co.uk
> >
> >
> > ==== CARMARTHENSHIRE Mailing List ====
> > Carmarthenshire Place Names Database - Looking for a farm etc you
cannot
> find - Contact - PeterWihl(a)compuserve.com - Let him know the
name of the
> Farm House etc etc - He will search the Database
> >
>
>
> ==== CARMARTHENSHIRE Mailing List ====
> Carmarthenshire FHS can be contacted by telephone: 01554-784875
> Only general enquiries please, No research or lookups carried out on the
telephone.
>
>
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