Re: Huncoat Colliery
 

Knew Brian Maden very well. He used to be on Mechanisation. Bringing the mine into the 20th century. He was also in the first aid team along with a few of us. Maybe I was there when you had your pit visit. Brian Trevithick, Yes I knew him as well. Did his family have hotel or bed and breakfast on Blackburn rd somewhere. Also yes that was our kid Brian Stevenson, He lives in Swindon. Doing ok.
Worked down the pit from 1962 until 1992. Maggie then said that she didnt want me any more, so I moved to the channel Tunnel as Technical Advisor for Eurotunnel. On the day of the opening I had to escort Maggie and Dennis into the tunnel via our train. I had to hold her hand as a support whilst she boarded the train. If my dad could have seen it he would have turned in his grave.

Re: Huncoat Colliery
 

I'm sure there will be many who would have preffered you held her by the throat :)

Re: Huncoat Colliery
 

yep "Trevs" family had a B/B on blackburn rd, just past sacred heart goin church direction on opposite side, aint seen him though fer about 10 yrs he was livin oer padiham fer some strange reason.:D he used to sup wi me n Pat Varley n lads in the Black Bull.:) glad to hear yer brians ok.

Re: Huncoat Colliery
 

My dad used to work at thorny bank on the face still got his little pit check tag with his number on it !

Re: Huncoat Colliery
 

Do any old Huncoat Mine coal workers or accrington residents remember a Herbert Martland married to an Edith Mary, Herbert died 1962. I am doing some family tree research and trying to fill in some blanks.

David

Re: Huncoat Colliery
 

Just picked this thread up. Pleased to say Brian Maden is still alive and kicking getting on abit I see him about once a month and talk about old times, there front room is full of coal by the time I leave.

Re: Huncoat Colliery
 

My Dad (Alan Large) also worked at Thorny Bank. He was an electrician. He would occasionally go to Hapton Valley to help out.

Re: Huncoat Colliery
 

I operated a little tractor unit to take supplies ect to & from the face in one direction the engine was behind the driver & on the return journey the seat swivelled round and the engine was foremost I was also assisting a couple of pipe fitters regularly extending the service pipes as the face progressed, that was 1966-68 ,one of them was a young lad about 16 and he would put a line of snuff on his arm right up to his elbow 2-3 times a shift, Its such along time ago their names have left me but i can still see their faces [this was at thorny bank]

Re: Huncoat Colliery
 

I have been in contact recently with a long lost mate Ken Lowes who worked down Hapton Valley before moving to Kent.

He sent me the following photo taken down the Valley,
the arrow saying "ME" is Ken.

He took me down once during a shutdown and I have a great admiration for all the lads who made a living down there.

Re: Huncoat Colliery
 

Hi there,

The attached photo is of some miners at the Huncoat pit (or maybe Scaitliff). I think it was taken when the pit closed, but not sure.
My interest in the picture is the person 3rd from the right, front row. This was Robert (Bob) Bannister, who sadly passed away in 2008 aged 83 in Morecombe.
He was the person running a gym and promoting wrestling in the Drill Hall during the sixties.
Could be that you might be on the photo also?

Sorry but I can't seem to load the picture. Will try again later.

Re: Huncoat Colliery
 

Bobs gym was a boxing club on Argyle St, i used to go yon meself.:) He was also related to me mate,who i go up Stanley with.:)

Re: Huncoat Colliery
 

I think You got this all wrong my freind. Robert (Bob) Bannister. Never worked in the coal mines when I knew him. I first met Bob in 1954 as he lived close to me. I lived on Crown Street And Bob lived at the top of Ranger street, Richmond Hill street area. He,s was up until I left Accy a window cleaner as well as a Wrestling Promoter, wrestler and every thing connected to wrestling. Also I think he did get involved with boxing. When he was a wrestler, he fought under the name of Robert Retsinbban or Robert Retsinab. He did have a Gym at the Drill hall and in 1964 I was one of his seconds when the fought some bid sod called The Angel. I had to drag this big guy out of the ring when he was out cold.

Re: Huncoat Colliery
 

Twas Robert Restinnab as i recall, which was bannister the wrong way round.;)The reason he used it, so his nephew told me.:) Seem to have a vague memory of Bob being a Window Cleaner?

Re: Huncoat Colliery
 

Yeh I knew him as a window cleaner

Re: Huncoat Colliery
 

Cheers i aint as senile as i thought.:D