Dad and Uncle Gav down t'pit. - a photo on Flickriver

            Here is a photo that depicts what was an every day scene but one that was hardly ever photographed. For that reason I am more than happy to upload this even though it is blurred. I have also tried to rescue as much detail as I can and it is obvious if you look closely.

The reason such photos are rare is that when working down the pit you always had to be extremely cautious of anything that might create a spark and therefore an explosion. Methane gas was the concern. Back in the 1960's the best way of taking a photo in the dark was to use a camera flash. This was obviously not permitted so dad took a camera down the pit one day and took some very long exposures. This being one. He must have balanced the camera, pressed the trigger and then taken his place at the left hand side of the image. This no doubt added to the blur. The central figure was my Uncle Gav. not a real uncle but my dad's best mate, my godfather and at this time dad's fitters mate. 

Whenever anything mechanical broke down the pit, the "fitter" and his mate were called to repair it. Dad was a fitter and effectively responsible for repairs when on duty. Much of the equipment was huge and had a degree of complexity so fitters were provided with assistance in the form of a fritters mate. 

I am really chuffed that dad took this photo as it gives a small window into a world that has disappeared for good in the UK.

Photo taken down Crigglestone pit at some time around 1967. The colliery operated from 1889 through until 1968.  

Dad, if you want to add anything please do so. 

Here are some important notes from dad.

Couldn’t log in to your flickr to add comments re the pit photo.   Here’s what I would have put.

The date of the photo is circa 1963.  The location is as you say Crigglestone Colliery, Uncle Gavin and I are in a ‘sluice gate’  (an area where the coal cutting machine pictured is housed awaiting the next cutting operation)  As you can see it is quite a confined space with little room for the necessary maintenance work to be done, but we managed all manner of repairs and maintenance is such conditions.. 

As for the photograph.  Knowing the safety reasons for not using a flash (no unauthorised  electrical apparatus being allowed) I made a metal clip that held the shutter in the open position, then when the camera was positioned on a suitable horizontal piece of timber I ‘painted’ the scene with light from my helmet lamp, unclipping the clip after a couple of minutes exposure.  In the picture I am in this was done by an electrician pal Mick Goodwin.  We, two fitters and an electrician swopped roles behind and in front of the camera, trying different time settings; two, three and I believe four minutes.   I can’t remember which result is which.  Suffice to say I didn’t ask for permission to take the photo but wasn’t risking an explosion whilst doing so.

Incidentally Gavin, like myself was a fully qualified mechanic, shortly after this photo took we charge of the first fully mechanised coal face at Crigglestone Colliery.

Hope this helps.  Dad

Taken in: UK / England / Crigglestone (show map)

Taken on: January 1, 1963

Tags:

Crigglestone Pit

Crigglestone

Uncle Gav

John Firth

Gavin Moody

Pit

Colliery

coal

NCB

Yorkshire « less

Sets appears in: • Family & friends • Wakefield & district, my home city.

Groups appears in: • Old Photos • Yorkshire more » • Old Photographs • Wakefield • It's Grim Up North • National Geographic | World Wide • Family Photos 50 Plus Years Old • yorkshire photography uk • LEST WE FORGET ITEMS « less

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