Sir Nigel Gresley's Canal

In Gresley's time (the late 1700's) there were numerous small mines (as can be seen on the map on the previous page).

Over later years these developed into three larger and well known pits - Minnie, Apedale and Holditch.

Also nearby were Parkhouse and Silverdale collieries

Minnie Pit, Halmerend

Minnie Pit, Halmerend
Minnie Pit, Halmerend

A close up view of the winding wheel at Minnie Pit in Halmerend, near Alsagers Bank.
Miners are photographed taking a break, some of whom look very young. The Minnie Pit was the largest pit within Podmore Hill Colliery.

Minnie pit will be remembered as the most infamous in the North Staffordshire coal field due to the heavy loss of life it incurred on 12th January 1918. This was the third disaster at the pit and was the worst one in the areas’ mining history. 155 miners lost their lives. The pit was closed on 30 September 1930

photo: 1890 - 1910 (c.) © Borough Museum and Art Gallery, Newcastle under Lyme

Apedale colliery

Apedale colliery, the Burley pit (c. 1850-1926)

This photograph shows the bridge carrying the tub-way from the Watermills colliery to the Burley screens. There is a tub on it. The railway line on the left is the line through Miry Wood to Podmore Hall and the Minnie pit. From the mixed collection of dumb-buffer and spring-buffer wagons standing in the screen roads, this photograph could date from the early 1900’s.

Holditch colliery, Chesterton

Holditch colliery, Chesterton (1912-1989)

Known locally as ‘Brymbo’, there were two shafts approximately 2000 feet deep. An explosion occurred in July 1937, killing 30 men and injuring 8. Modernisation took place after 1947 using some of the most modern machinery. It was reputed to be the most gassy colliery in Britain. From July 1976 it supplied 1.25 million therms of gas per year, equivalent to 4000 tons of coal, to local brickworks, firing 500,000 bricks per week.