Post by quimbyj1745 on Dec 1, 2015 5:06:56 GMT -5
I was in charge of the afternoon shift at Coventry colliery in the mid 60s. The pit wound coal at both shafts and since the afternoon shift was the back shift we had to get the days supplies into the pit and still turn coal. This meant that timing the supplies was critical.
I came into no.1 pit bottom at about 9.30 pm one night to find the pit bottom deputy manning the loading point, no sign of any men. "Where are all the men, I hope you haven't let them go early".
"No , they are round the back of the shaft"
I went looking, did the pit bottom circuit, no men. Went to look in the little cabin just off the circuit. door was shut and I had to put shoulder to the door. Inside 6 men , 1 in the chair looking in the mirror. 1 light fitting with the glass off, electric clippers on the go. Boll---ing all round but I never went searching again.
The second story, Newdigate colliery, Tom F was senior undermanager and as so acted as manager when the boss was away. On one such day Tom was looking across the pit yard and saw 3 or 4 men go into the stores followed by the cost clerk who carried a small bag. After 10 minutes had passed no one came out of the only entrance. Tom decided to investigate and went to the stores. "where are those men?".
"there's no one here". Tom went to the back of the stores and spotted a loft ladder to a closed trap door. On lifting the trap door he was confronted by the cost clerk cutting hair in a fully equipped barbers shop. Again boll____ing all round and the cost clerk threatened with the sack if caught again. Fast forward 6 months, Tom again acting when he spotted a man in a trilby hat and raincoat go into the stores closely followed by the cost clerk, bag in hand.
To thought I've got him. across to the stores up the ladder and sure enough, man ,less trilby sat in chair cape covering him.
"you were warned before and you know the consequences".
"but boss what could I do, look who it is".
The man in the chair spun round, it was the Production Manager.