A Conservative Government led by Margaret Thatcher came to power in the United Kingdom in 1979. Government spokespersons suggested that it had become too costly to continue coal mining on a national level and so a programme of nation-wide pit closures was instigated.
What they failed to recognise was the huge and devastating impact this ‘programme’ would have on the communities involved. The resistance campaign was led by Arthur Scargill, the Chairman of the National Union of Mineworkers.
This section shows some of what happened in South Wales over the next ten years…
Protest march in the Garw Valley in 1985.
Even the children were well aware of the impact the closures would have on their lives. Here they have a banner with a message for the Prime Minister.
Protest march in the Garw Valley in 1985.Even the children were well aware of the impact the closures would have on their lives. Here they have a banner with a message for the Prime Minister.
A very wet protest march down the Garw Valley in 1985.
The rain was so bad that day my camera packed up and died.
Protest march against pit closures in the Garw Valley in 1985.
The last coal train from the Garw Colliery. 1985
Trains no longer run the length of the valley. A cycle path now takes the place of this train line between Blaengarw and Pontycymer.
The last coal train from the Garw Colliery in 1985.
Demolition of Wyndham Colliery pit head winding gear in the Ogmore Valley. The pit was working for 116 years and closed in 1984.
Demolition of Wyndham Colliery pit head winding gear in the Ogmore Valley. The pit was working for 116 years and closed in 1984.
Demolition of Wyndham Colliery pit head winding gear in the Ogmore Valley. The pit was working for 116 years and closed in 1984
Demolition of Wyndham Colliery pit head winding gear in the Ogmore Valley. The pit was working for 116 years and closed in 1984.
Demolition of Wyndham Colliery pit head winding gear in the Ogmore Valley. The pit was working for 116 years and closed in 1984.
Demolition of Wyndham Colliery pit head winding gear in the Ogmore Valley. The pit was working for 116 years and closed in 1984.
Demolition of Wyndham Colliery pit head winding gear in the Ogmore Valley. The pit was working for 116 years and closed in 1984.
Demolition of Wyndham Colliery pit head winding gear in the Ogmore Valley. The pit was working for 116 years and closed in 1984. It took 4 hours to demolish.
This chap held up his hand showing 5 digits – this was his 5th demolition, his 5th ‘conquest’.
This is the last dram up from the Garw Colliery in the Garw Valley. The pit closed in December 1985 after 98 years.
Pithead baths at Coegnant Colliery in Caerau, Maesteg. The building was being demolished whilst I was inside. I could hear the sound of the wrecking ball hitting the building and made a hasty exit!
This is the winding house of the Ffaldau Colliery in the Garw Valley. There were actually three shafts at this colliery. The colliery was closed in December 1985. This picture shows its demolition and was taken in 1985.
The Ffaldau Colliery in the Garw Valley in South Wales. The winding house finally meets its demise.
The large machinery is brought in to demolish the winding house at the Ffaldau Colliery. The colliery was working for 109 years.
Ffaldau Colliery being demolished in 1985.
Ffaldau Colliery winding house 1985.
Demolition of Ffaldau Colliery winding house 1985.
Ffaldau Colliery winding house 1985.
The colliery was working for 109 years. It took 4 hours to demolish.
Ffaldau Colliery winding house demolition 1985.
The contractor who bought the pit for scrap told me that he paid about £4000 for the site. By the end of demolition I was told he had made about £38,000.
Ffaldau Colliery winding house demolition 1985.
The remains of the ‘upcast shaft’ winding gear.
Ffaldau Colliery winding house being demolished in 1985.
Ffaldau Colliery winding house being demolished in 1985.
The last remains…
Demolition of the pithead baths at Coegnant Colliery in Caerau, Maesteg in 1982. The pit had closed during the previous year after 99 years.
Tondu Brickworks demolition in 1980. Bricks from here were used in the construction of many of the buildings in the area including the numerous chapels.
National Coal Board offices in Tondu, South Wales. This photo was taken after it closed. It has now been demolished. The site is now used by new housing.
Interestingly, it was built adjacent to the site of the Tondu Ironworks which was built in 1883 and closed down in the early part of the 20th Century. The Ironworks have now been rebuilt for tourism purposes.
National Coal Board offices in Tondu, South Wales. This photo was taken a number of years after it closed. It has now been demolished. The site is now used by new housing.
Demolition of the pithead baths at Coegnant Colliery in Maesteg.
Demolition of Coegnant Colliery, Maesteg in 1982 after 99 years. You can see the head frame in the centre of the photo. Unusually for Wales the head frame was completely encased in concrete.
Coal dram from the International or ‘Carn’ Colliery in the Garw Valley left over from the closures and demolition. This dram is now a monument in the Garw Valley.
Coal dram from the Garw Colliery.
This photo was taken before the reclamation of the valleys made the valleys green and pleasant again.
The Garw Valley after the closure of the pits and before reclamation of the area began. The reclamation process took 20 years to instigate but is now complete. All the slag heaps and spoil have been removed and the valley is green again.
“Ten Years Without Coal March”.
In 1996 this march of the length of the Garw Valley was organised by Valley and Vale Community Arts to commemorate the ten year anniversary of the demise of coal mining in South Wales.
The top of the Garw Valley after the closure of the pits but before reclamation of the area began. The reclamation process took 20 years to instigate but is now complete. All the slag heaps and spoil have been removed and the valley is green again.
Many years ago (some time in the 1920’s I think) this heap slipped and engulfed the Ocean Colliery manager’s house and car. Luckily no one was injured as the alarm was raised in time by a vigilant farmer.
