| Entry Type | Corporate |
| Corporate Name | South Normanton Colliery |
| Parent Body | South Normanton Colliery Company Ltd |
| National Coal Board |
| Place | South Normanton |
| Epithet | coal mine |
| Dates | 1892-1952 |
| History | South Normanton Colliery replaced the Old South Normanton Colliery, also known as Winterbank or Wincobank, which closed in 1889, following the bankrupcy of T.H. and G Small in 1885. The new colliery was sunk by a company called the South Normanton Colliery Company Limited, which had been founded by Mr A. Mein of Bishop Auckland in 1891. It was a small mine by modern standards, only produing about 500 tons a day in the mid 20th century. It worked the Top Hard, Dunsil and Waterloo coal seams. Following the take over, the existing shallow shafts were deepened between 1893 and 1894. There was a dispute with Nottinghamshire miners not long into sinking which delayed the production of coal until Oct 1893. Despite the site being only just in Derbyshire, it was classed as being in the Nottinghamshire coalfield because the miners were part of the Nottinghamshire Miners’ Association. The colliery experienced boom years at the end of the 19th and beginning of 20th centuries, but profits were not ploughed back into the business so that investment could be made to improve future production.
There was a large explosion in 1937, possibly caused by someone smoking underground, as cigarettes and matches were found close to one of the dead miners. It killed 8 men and injured another 3. Both the Mansfield and Chesterfield Miners Rescue Stations attended the scene. A relief fund was established to help the widows and children of those affected by the disaster. The company was blamed for not being tighter on people smoking on site. The highest recorded output of 127,414 tons was recorded in 1947, with the highest recorded manpower of 659 in 1925.
The colliery was transferred to the control of the National Coal Board as a result of the nationalisation of the coal industry. The colliery closed in 1952, being the first in the district to be closed by the NCB. It was no longer seen as viable to carry on spending money to upgrade, as financial losses had been significant since 1940. Following closure, the shaft continued to be used for pumping and ventilation for nearby Brookhill Colliery until 1968 and other parts of the site were used as an outstation for offices for No. 4 Area (Huthwaite) Headquarters. Several pit ponies continued to be used after the official closing to help with underground salvage.
Known managers: James Mein, Peter L Harley, Jimmy A Wright, Horace O Gubbins, Alex L Middleton, Tommy R. Jameson. |
| Key Events | 1892: First sinking
1937: Explosion killing 8 men and injuring 3 others
1947: Nationalisation
1952: Closed |
| Source | ‘South Normanton Closed After 58 Years’, http://www.healeyhero.co.uk/rescue/individual/Bob_Bradley/Bk-4/B4-1951.html
‘South Normanton Colliery Explosion Relief Fund Committee’, D2087
Griffin, A. R., ‘A Boom Colliery in the Boer War Period’, Derbyshire Miscellany, 5.4 (1970)
Northern Mine Research Society, South Normanton Colliery Explosion, https://www.nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/accidents-disasters/derbyshire/south-normanton-colliery-explosion-alfreton-1937/ |
| Authorised Form of Name | South Normanton; South Normanton Colliery; 1892-1952; coal mine |
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