richb
Rank: Trio
Posts: 123 
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Post by richb on Nov 30, 2016 22:14:46 GMT
Just finished watching the second part of this excellent documentary on the closure of Britain's last remaining deep coal mine.
Handled really sensitively by the film makers I was genuinely moved at the last shift, seeing these big tough men moved to tears by the loss of their jobs and realising they are the end of an era in British industry.
Although I never worked in this industry I think anyone who has ever seen the run down and closure of a job they took pride in will relate. When their gaffer welled up, so did I.
A must watch if only to bear witness to something gone in our lifetimes and enjoy the straight talking ways of the Yorkshire miners.
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Post by Tim on Nov 30, 2016 22:34:44 GMT
+1 an amazing insight into the life of some of Britain's unsung heroes. I have actually been down Kellingley Colliery and got to know many miners very well during the 80's miners strike. A sad end to an industry very seldom talked about now or understood, but our coal industry was the biggest in the world for decades.
I also highly recommend this is something to watch, it's on the iPlayer, which is how I saw it.
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richb
Rank: Trio
Posts: 123
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Post by richb on Nov 30, 2016 23:51:46 GMT
+1 an amazing insight into the life of some of Britain's unsung heroes. I have actually been down Kellingley Colliery and got to know many miners very well during the 80's miners strike. A sad end to an industry very seldom talked about now or understood, but our coal industry was the biggest in the world for decades. I also highly recommend this is something to watch, it's on the iPlayer, which is how I saw it. It is a working environment unlike any other. I once went down the potash mine at Redcar for a meeting with some Durham university boffins who were doing dark matter research down there. Almost a mile deep and 7 mile out to sea, the heat and rocksalt dust was unbelievable. We all turned our lamps off for a moment and the dark was like nothing I've ever experienced before or since. Sadly that mine has closed too but it still stands out as one of my most unusual and memorable days at work ever. |
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Post by ChrisB on Dec 1, 2016 0:09:06 GMT
I didn't spot that this was on, so thanks for pointing it out.
I used to employ several guys who had worked at some of the neighbouring pits, mostly in South Yorks, but were made redundant earlier. I heard many tales of the life and unshakable cameraderie of those who worked there, so I look forward to watching this.
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Post by Tim on Dec 1, 2016 9:11:13 GMT
It's a good documentary Chris, brings back memories of a very turbulent period. I'll never forget riding on a coal conveyor belt miles under ground, better than any Alton Towers ride  |
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Post by MartinT on Dec 1, 2016 11:29:06 GMT
Taking a trip in the narrow gauge railway trucks in the salt mines of Saltzburg was memorable, too.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2016 13:34:17 GMT
I've never been down a coal mine, but I have been down a slate mine in Llechwedd in Wales and been down Wookey Hole in Somerset. I've also walked on top of several nuclear reactors as part of nuclear fuel stock counts. I experienced more heat underground than on top of a nuclear reactor.
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Post by MartinT on Dec 1, 2016 13:43:50 GMT
I've also walked on top of several nuclear reactors as part of nuclear fuel stock counts. My university used to have its own reactor. I've stood on and looked down into it - a strange experience. |
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Post by ChrisB on Dec 1, 2016 13:54:02 GMT
I've stood beside one of the coalfire driven turbines at Drax power station - 1 million horse power on a single drive shaft! A line of 6 of them, providing 1/10th of the UK's power at the time.
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Post by ChrisB on Dec 1, 2016 13:55:10 GMT
....and most of the coal, criminally, came from Russia.
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