Industrial Developments
New Hucknall Colliery
Executives Form Company
December 1875 death of William Muschamp meant that Huthwaite colliery founder never got chance to even see work commence. He'd personally invested a considerable sum, so in best family interest, the appointed executors wished to assure at least making some profitable return. Figures quoted are from authoritative 1971 publication entitled Mining in the East Midlands by A R Griffin
Initial 1876 investment costs
Natham Mellors £1,500
Mrs Miller £1,450
John T Boot £1,400
Society of Friends £120
Premium to Vendor £6,632
Labour Wages £1,169
J Boot & Sons £61
Compiled listing just gives example of major expenses initally incurred under William Muschamp. After purchasing necessary mineral rights came additional payments to various other freeholders, plus annual royalty rents. Commitment employing labour and professional services beyond death rapidly raises executive expenditures throughout following year well beyond £20,000.
Partnership shares valued 30th June 1878
William Muschamp (Executors) £16,265
Emerson Mushcamp Bainbridge £8,250
Cuthburt Bainbridge £7,000
Thomas E. Fenwick £6,000
J. M. Vickers £5,000
Robert Robson £5,000
Rounded to nearest £ Totals = 47,515
To give some perspective behind the value of those figures comparison can be made when employing a manager on highest annual salary of £150. But that costly investment was just the beginning. Executors to Muschamp's will went beyond fully repaying his account before registering this company business.
A push to sink a second pit shaft by 1877 would be further financed under the private partnership of six main investors. Named members indicates family interest linked the major partners. Their shares by end of June 1878 totalled £47,515 15s. By the end of that year, costs had risen to £52,270 after finally managing to raise the first coals.
New Hucknall Colliery Company Limited
Incorporating the fuller titled New Hucknall Colliery Company Limited started off the year 1879. 
Emerson Bainbridge had purchased major part of the Muschamp Executors stock to take up leading position as company Chairman. There were three recognised classes of Company shares, Adding one named minor shareholder identified Mr G. B. Bainbridge joining the existing six members. They made up the original company holding capital shares valued at £64,981.
Emerson Muschamp Bainbridge (1845-1911) was born December 5th at Eshott Hall, Newcastle Upon Tyne. A Durham University education qualified role taken as a mining engineer consultant. Managing a number of collieries from 1870 leads to holding far broader range of widely influential positions including various railway enterprises. Portrait dates year this Liberal Party politician became elected 1895 Member of Parliament for Gainsborough until 1900.
New Hucknall Colliery became just one of several held directorships when obtaining 1889 lease from the Duke of Portland for Top Hard seams of Barnsley coals in areas of Derbyshire and Nottinghanshires. Bainbridge is then credited founding a Bolsover Colliery Company upon lands known as ‘The Dukeries’, plus personally developing that New Bolsover model village.
Task of expanding a rural Hucknall Huthwaite into a prospering Huthwaite mining township is all largely down to him employing 33 year old Simeon Watson as a fully qualified colliery manager.
Simeon Watson 1847-1933
Certified birth 3rd January 1847, Lumsdale, identified this son of farmer John and Elizabeth nee Rowbotham from Brassington. Moving family into Codnor lists father a coal miner, jointly held at next 1861 census by 14 year old Simeon starting out an educated career with the Butterley Coal & Iron Co. Ltd. Becoming a qualified mineral surveyor soon placed him in charge that department, Promotional appointment to chief assistant of Mr R. G. Coke of Chesterfield, locates where Simeon married Mary Ann Bostock in 1870 at St. Helena. Last nine loyal years covering all aspects of mining around the country demanded compliance with updated safety regulations. Sitting first held examination in Derby assured future employment as first fully certified Huthwaite pit manager.
Constructing his future family home upon lofty heights off Sutton Road very grandly overlooked the southern valley pit yard, plus further overseeing purchase of roadside lands to build suitable terraced block housing for a major influx of mining families.
Rapidly building Hucknall Huthwaite into a prospering Huthwaite mining community included leisure and sports facilities. A Miners Institute with reading rooms predated colliery cricket and football grounds to encourage healthier club pursuits. Large recreational parkland ultimately became gifted for general public use. That gardened Huthwaite Welfare Park provided children a play area amongst bowling greens, tennis courts and putting course.
Mr Watson led this companies development of a second colliery neighbourly sited in Kirkby-in-Ashfield. Others sought acclaimed professional expertise after being awarded a seat on the Board of Directors. The 1924 purchase of another existing mine finds a New Hucknall Colliery Company owning four Nottinghamshire pits; Huthwaite the smallest of Bentinck, Welbeck and Annesley.
The Notts. Free Press 28th April 1933 column below briefly outlines career of Simeon Watson when reporting his grandly attended Huthwaite funeral. Generosity of this highly distinguished resident becomes exposed through various historic village developments. Company and personal donations went way beyond assisting schools and chapels. Belying initial Wesleyan beliefs came stronger commitment towards a Huthwaite parish church. Stained glass memorialised eldest son throughout many significant donations.
An Esteemed Huthwaite Resident.
LONG ASSOCIATION WITH NEW HUCKNALL COLLIERY.
REPRESENTATIVE ATTENDANCE AT FUNERAL.
By the passing of Mr. Simeon Watson, J.P., of Mill House, Huthwaite, on Friday morning, the district has lost one of its oldest and most esteemed residents. For over fifty years he had been associated with the public, religions and social life of Huthwaite, and by his valuable service and generous support of all good causes had won the regard and respect of all classes.
Early Business Life. Born at Tansley, a village near Matlock, Derbyshire, on January 2nd, 1846, 
he commenced his business life with the Butterley Coal and Iron Co., Ltd., and in a few years was placed in entire charge of the surveying department by the late Mr. William Bean, the general manager and mining engineer of the collieries, and to whom Mr. Watson owed many kindnesses. While there he was called upon to prepare plans, etc., in connection with a well known law suit action, which brought him to the notice of the late Mr. R.G. Coke, the eminent mining engineer, of Chesterfield, and shortly afterwards was appointed Mr. Coke's chief assistant, which position he held for nine years, having an extensive experience of mining matters in various parts of the country.
It became necessary about this time for colliery managers to obtain certificates of competency, and Mr. Watson attended the first examination held at Derby and successfully passed. In 1879 he was appointed by the late Mr. Emerson Bainbridge as manager of the New Hucknall Colliery, then in its infancy. The development of this colliery was a very arduous task, but the difficulties were eventually overcome by Mr. Watson's untiring tenacity, the works eventually employing some 2,000 men, and throughout his long association with the colliery the deceased enjoyed the goodwill of the employees, whose interests he had at all times at heart.
In 1894 Mr. Watson laid out and developed the Bentinck Colliery at Kirkby-in-Ashfield, and this also has been a very successful undertaking, whilst during his period of being consulting engineer the Welbeck Colliery on the Welbeck estate was sunk. Mr. Watson designed and applied many engineering improvements for the working of the collieries, one of the chief being the first plate band for carrying and sorting coal, which he installed at New Hucknall Colliery.
On relinquishing the position of general manager of the company he was offered a seat on the Board of Directors, together with the position of consulting engineer. This he accepted and held until he retired some 10 years ago, when he was presented by the Board with a handsome silver salver, suitably inscribed.
Mr. Watson held many public positions, having been for many years Chairman of the Huthwaite Local Board, a member of the Mansfield Board of Guardians, and a member of the Notts. County Council, and in 1910 he was appointed a county magistrate on the Mansfield Bench.
He was one of the founders of the Ashfield Lodge of Freemasons, and one of the oldest members of the Forest Lodge. Although a prominent Wesleyan himself, any good cause was sure of a friend in Mr. Watson, and he took a great interest and gave much financial help in the building of the present Huthwaite Church. He also was very instrumental in the building of the Wesleyan Chapel at Sutton Road, Huthwaite. For a long period - some 50 years - he and the late Mrs. Watson gave a substantial present each Christmas to the 70 oldest inhabitants.
Mr. Watson lost his wife in 1919, and his eldest son in 1891, his surviving children being Mr. B.W. Watson, of Honington House, Honington, Grantham. Mrs. Irvine, of Mayfield, Huthwaite, and Mrs. Maxwell, of Crow Hill Drive, Mansfield, to whom sincere sympathy will be extended in their bereavement.
The funeral took place at Huthwaite on Monday afternoon when the large and representative attendance testified to the respect and esteem in which the deceased was held. A service was held in the Sutton Road Methodist Church, conducted by the Rev. H.R. Hackforth, who was assisted by the Rev. W.L. Boulton (Vicar of Huthwaite), and as the mourners assembled Mr. J. Weston, who presided at the organ, rendered appropriate music, including Handel's "Largo," and as the coffin was being borne into the church, he played "O rest in the Lord."
The singing of the hymns "Glory be to God on High" and "There is a land of pure delight," was led by a choir composed of representatives from the various churches of the town, and the special Psalm was read by the Rev. W.L. Boulton, whilst the Rev. H.R. Hackforth read appropriate passages from the Bible.
In paying a tribute to the life and work of the deceased, Mr. Hackforth said all of them, not only connected with that church, but all in the Mansfield Circuit and those who had known Mr. Watson for many years, extended to the family their deepest sympathy in what was a time of sorrow and a sense of great personal loss. He (Mr. Hackforth) knew that his superintendent, the Rev. T. Nevinson, who was unavoidably absent through illness, joined in that expression.
For over half a century Mr. Watson had been a member of that church. As the general manager of the Colliery, he took a great interest in and gave a great lead in the erection of that Church in 1889, and was a trustee of that and of the previous chapel. By his influence at the time of the erection of the new church he was able to secure very substantial gifts towards the cost, and right through the years since he had kept his interest in its progress and spiritual ministry.
As a Church, they had suffered very heavily recently by losing two most faithful servants in the persons of Mr. Colin Evans, at the age of 74 years, and Mr. Watson, at the age of 86 years. Both were not only greatly respected, but beloved. Mr. Watson had lived a long and strenuous life. By exceptional ability he rose high in his profession, making distinct and valuable contributions by his skill and inventive capacity to the progress of modern mining, and as general manager he rose to be a director of the Company. He was respected for his work in that capacity, and in other ways he had rendered service in public matters to the good of the community. The community and church had lost one who had served both faithfully and ardently his time and generation, and they gave thanks to God for all good men and women who had lived to help their fellows, and helped to make things better than they found them.
As the mourners were leaving the church the organist played the "Dead March" in "Saul." The interment took place at the Cemetery in the presence of a large gathering, the last rites being conducted by the Rev. H.R. Hackforth and the Rev. W.L. Boulton, the coffin being lowered into the grave by members of the New Hucknall Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, who, under the direction of Ambulance Officer Rawlins, acted as bearers and pall bearers.
The principal mourners present were: Mr. B.W. Watson and Mrs. Irvine, son and daughter; Mrs. Maxwell, daughter, and Mr. W.H. Maxwell, grandson; Mrs. B.W. Watson, daughter-in-law, and Mr. B.R. Watson, grandson; Dr. and Mrs. Gaston; Dr. R.W. Maxwell, Miss Irving, grandchildren; Mr. H.R. Watson and Mrs. Riley, brother and sister; Mr. J. Watson and Mr. Dryden Watson, nephews.
The Magisterial Bench at Mansfield was represented by Dr. R. Nesbitt, Messrs. G.G. Bonser, C.H. Coupe and S. Davidson, with Mr. J. Bird (Clerk).
New Hucknall Colliery Company, Ltd., was represented by Messrs. G.A. Longden and E.A. Fenwick (directors), Capt. P. Muschamp (chief agent), Messrs. T. Day (commercial manager), W.H.B. Stevens (manager, New Hucknall), F.J. Aspinall (manager, Bentinck Colliery), E.J.H. Oxley, W. Barber and B. Bingham (sales agents), D. Charlton (cashier), A.E. Roberts (assistant cashier), A. Gamble (assistant commercial manager), G. Warner (architect), E. Bonser (under manager, New Hucknall), and J. Hodgkinson (engine-wright, New Hucknall).
Huthwaite Urban Council members and officials present were Councillors F.C. Sowter (Chairman), E.H. Lowe, J.G. Wright, H.A. Simpson, M. Betts, T. Goodall, A. Wilson, W. Clarke, J. Potter and J. Iball, Messrs. E.B. Hibbert (Clerk), E.W. Bostock (surveyor), A. Dickens (rating officer), and A. Fidler.
Amongst the many others present were Alderman J.E. Alcock (Mansfield), Mr. H.J. Alcock (Mansfield), Mr. and Mrs. G.A. Robinson (Mansfield), Mrs. M. Betts, Mr. and Mrs. A. Quail, Messrs. E.S. Buck, P.F. Day (general manager, Pinxton Colliery), H.J. Bosworth, W. Humble (Mansfield), G.A. Rhodes (Mansfield), J.E. Ensor (Sheffield), A. Taylor, H. Holt (former manager Annesley Colliery), T. Hill, M. Barnes, E. Morgan (Hewitt and Son, Derby), J. Pegg, R. Slack, L. Lee, J.W. Hick, J. Wells, C.H. Turner, A.G. Gunby, J. Oliver, Rev. F.N. Beswick (former Vicar of Huthwaite), Mr. E. Beswick (Manchester), Supt. W.J. Neate, Inspector Scoffield, Messrs. H. Heath, W.B. Fidler, W. Farnsworth and Jos. Wilbourne (representing Sutton Road Methodist Church), and Messrs, A.H. Turner, A. Leeson, and G. Cress (old employees, New Hucknall Colliery offices).
Beautiful floral tributes were sent as follows:- In loving remembrance of my Father, from Florence; in affectionate remembrance, from Will, Kath and Bob; in loving memory, from Alice and Family, Mansfield; in loving memory of Grandpa, from Aggie; with deepest sympathy, from Margaret; in sincere remembrance of Grandpa, from Alice and Jesse; with deepest sympathy, Dr. and Mrs. Gaston; with deepest sympathy, from Mr. and Mrs. P.F. DAy; with sincere sympathy and regret, from Old Pit Staff, New Hucknall Colliery; in kind remembrance, from the Directors of the New Hucknall Colliery Co., Ltd.; Mrs. G. Farnsworth; Mr. and Mrs. K.A.F. Fenwick, Mansfield; Mr. and Mrs. Featherstone Fenwick, Welsingham; Mr. and Mrs. Muschamp, Mansfield; Mr. and Mrs. E.J.H. Oxley, Tonbridge; with kindest remembrances, from the Older Members of the Staff of the New Hucknall Colliery; with much regret, from his old Comrade, Thomas Day; from Cissie and the Boys, Little Hallam; Mrs. A. Watson and Family; with affectionate remembrance of my dear Brother Simeon, from Mrs. Riley; in affectionate remembrance of our dear Brother, Mr. and Mrs. H.R. Watson; Mr. and Mrs. J. King and Family, Mansfield; Mrs. Dobb, The Ashlands; Mr. and Mrs. A. Gunby and Family; Dr. E.S. Vance; Miss Walker, Mrs. Allsop and Prudence, deepest sympathy, (from the Trustees and Members of the Wesleyan Church); and Mr. and Mrs. Holt.
New Hucknall & Blackwell Collieries Ltd
London Gazette - 23rd June 1944
Official Notice N.H. and B. Collieries Ltd. In the Court of the Railway and Canal Commission.In the Matter of the Mining Industry Act, 1926, Part I, the Coal Mines Act, 1930, Part II, and the Coal Act, 1938, and in the Matter of the application of the NEW HUCKNALL COLLIERY COMPANY Limited and the BLACKWELL COLLIERY COMPANY Limited.
Pursuant to an Order of the above named Court dated the 20th day of June 1944, notice is hereby given as follows: —
1. The Applicants, the above named Companies, who are the owners of the undertakings consisting of or comprising coal mines, have prepared a Scheme (hereinafter called "the Scheme") for the total amalgamation of their respective undertakings.
2. The Scheme provides for: —
(a) The incorporation of a new Company (in the Scheme referred to as "the Amalgamated Company") with a Memorandum & Articles of Association in the form already identified and attached to the Scheme, under the name of "N.H. and B. Collieries Limited."
(b) The vesting in the Amalgamated Company upon the Appointed Day of the whole of the undertakings of the above named Companies (hereinafter called "the Constituent Companies") including all freehold and leasehold surface land's belonging to the Constituent Companies and all leases and licences to get minerals set out in the Schedules to the Scheme.
(c) All deeds, conveyances, grants, assignments, leases purchases, sales, mortgages, bonds, covenants, agreements, contracts and securities, and all obligations and liabilities entered into by the Constituent Companies shall on and after the Appointed Day (being not more than 28 days after the incorporation of the Amalgamated Company) be as valid and as of full force and effect, against and in relation to the Amalgamated Company, as if the same had been executed, made or enbered into by, with, or to, or in relation to, the Amalgamated Company by name.
3. The Scheme also provides that notwithstanding the Amalgamation everything before the Appointed Day, done, suffered and confirmed by the Constituent Companies, shall be as valid as if the Scheme had not been confirmed.
4. In accordance with the above named Acts, the Scheme has been submitted to the Board of Trade and the Board of Trade has referred the Scheme to the above Court for confirmation. Copies of the Scheme can be inspected at the offices of the Applicants Solicitors, Messrs. Elliot Smith & Co. of West Gate, Mansfield, at the offices of Messrs. Peacock & Goddard, Solicitors, 6 Aldford Street, Park Lane, London, W.1, and at the registered offices of the Constituent Companies, situate respectively at New Hucknall Offices, Huthwaite, Mansfield, and Blackwell Collieries, Blackwell, Derby, during usual business hours, and if necessary, copies made or extracts taken.
5. Persons who have any objection to the Scheme and desire to be heard in opposition thereto must send their notice of objection with the grounds thereof, together with their names and addresses and particulars of the nature of their interests to the Registrar of the Railway and Canal Commission, Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London, W.C.2, on or before 11th July 1944, and a copy of such objection must also be sent to the said Messrs. Elliot Smith & Co. Solicitors, of West Gate, Mansfield. And the Court will make an Order as to the persons (if any) who shall be at liberty to appear at the hearing.
6. Upon the question whether the Scheme is in the National interest the Court will hear such persons whether in support of or against the Scheme as they think fit, including representatives of the persons employed in the undertakings affected by the Scheme.
7. The Court will proceed to the hearing of the application on a day to be hereafter fixed.
The resulting January 1945 amalgamation of the New Hucknall Colliery Company Ltd with the Blackwell Colliery Company Ltd into the newly registered company title of the New Hucknall and Blackwell Collieries Ltd., thereafter owned nine nearby pits including four inside Derbyshire, up to 1947 Nationalisation.
Company Details at 1947 Nationalisation
Registered Office: Huthwaite, Mansfield
Collieries Manager Employees Under Above Alfreton T. L. Nicholson 706 181 Annesley J. M. Murray 676 212 Bentinck W. Sharpe 1,180 291 A Winning T. R. Jameson 845 291 B Winning J. S. Fletcher 248 107 New Hucknall A. L. Middleton 415 164 Shirland F. D. A. Boam 300 157 Sutton S. M. Merry 675 195 Welbeck O. T. Storrs 1,124 273
Total Employees 8,040 = 6,169 1,871
Company Chairman: Fenwick, E. A. F., High Oakham House, Mansfield
Vice Chairman: Fenwick, F., Foresters Lodge, Wolsingham, R.S.O., Co. Durham
Managing Director: Ellis, C. R.
Directors:
Earle, G. F., The Club House, Coombe Hill, Kingston-on-Thames
Ellis, C. R., Pendean, Blackwell, Derby
Jackson, R. E. M., Ferriby Hill, North Ferriby, East Yorkshire
Longden, G. A., Tithebarn, Beech Hill, Windermere, Westmorland
Longden, H. A., Peckfield Lodge, South Milford, Yorkshire
Muschamp, E. P. W., Etwall House, Alfreton Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts
Engineers: Charlton, W. Edwardes, R. E. S. W.
General Manager: Muschamp, E. P. W.
Secretary: Roberts, A. E., F.C.I.S.
Agents: Merry, J. L. Muschamp, E. P. W. Westmoreland, H.
12 Sep 14 by Gary Elliott Updated 17 Nov 23