Industrial Developments

New Hucknall Colliery gained renown sinking three pit shafts. But overlooking this Hucknall-under-Huthwaite colliery draws eyes above use of triple headstocks. Two towering chimney stacks had been most prominent feature throughout era under steam power.

Two scenes dated prior 1910 overlook the valley site from opposing directions. Above sights Fulwood to the South East. That gives vantage point looking northward towards Huthwaite heights from behind the original Mapplewells pub off Alfreton Road. A well trodden path bridging rear railway side cuttings had been regularly walked by colliers coming from beyond that locality.

Old Map pub is sighted off that 70s rail cuttings bridge long after pit yard swelled in size under National Coal Board management. Adding luxury of pit head baths, a canteen and medical centre from April 1954, predates workshops supporting mechanisation.

A mountainous waste heap gives some indication of the extra efforts needed to extract this fossil fuel. Diesel locomotives replaced steam trains hauling coals out over a gated Common Road crossing, primarily destined to fuel Nottinghamshire power stations.

An unsightly peaked waste tip was eventually levelled off and grassed over before 1980 photo proves it had successfully pastured grazing cattle. Views taken off it reveals residential expansion beneath village heights followed success from this modern colliery.

Comparing northwest view in final 1982 colour more truthfully exposes the past heavy industrial site just before this colliery closure.