mining as a job

[wales]

what was great attraction of mining as a job and how ex-miners fared after pits closed

[John]

Dec 24, 2010 8:19:45 GMT -5 wales said:

what was great attraction of mining as a job and how ex-miners fared after pits closed

My reason was pay! I was already an apprentice electrician with a contractor. I saw an ad in the local newspaper with pay rates, four times what I was earning!
I left on completion of my apprenticeship, and left the UK well before the major closures came into being, so can't comment on the second question.

[Sam from Kent]

I lived in Dover and the pits were in the rural areas outside of the town and I wasn't even aware that they existed. I got an apprenticeship with the NCB and a 15 left school to "go down pit" My first day underground I did think what have I done, but I grew used to it and became to love pit life and, if Thatcher had not closed them all, I would still be there.

As for what I did after-wards, I retrained in white goods repair, with Indesit, set up in my own business which unfortunately failed, did a brief spell in security at the Channel Tunnel, back in to white goods with Hoover and now work part time as a delivery driver for Sainsburys. Am also Shop Steward and Health and Safety Rep

[Mick]

I always wanted to work down the pit, all my family had been miner's so it was nothing new for me to want to follow them into mining.
I have never worked with better men than miners,when Wheldale shut in 87 i went to work for a small mining company doing alot of boring on coal face's to keep the roof up and salvaging from pits that had closed.
When that all ended i went to work at argos in the warehouse,that lasted 4 week and i walked out i could'nt work with the idiots that worked there.
I wish the pits were still going Thatcher should have been dropped down the shaft and had it filled in.
Mick.

[Sam from Kent]

Couldn't agree more about Thatcher. There has been some speculation about whether she should have a state funeral - the sooner the better, although I am a Humanist, I can't see any God wanting her in heaven

[John]

Another question could be, why did you stay in the industry. Conditions weren't exactly the best.

Me??? Good pay and I enjoyed being a pit electrician with it's unique equipment.
There were times I was apprehensive, and I'd like to meet the man who had never had the thought go through his mind on a rope failure while riding a shaft. ;D
Yep, went through my mind quite a few times!!

[Sam from Kent]

Why did I stay in the industry when conditions were so bad??? We thrived on the bad conditions in Kent. I remember doing my face training on a plough face with props and bars and desford chocks and it was a full time, and at my age, frightening job resetting all the props as they flew out

[erichall]

The main reason for so many people was that Mining was essentially localised, and was often the only job around. Another was that Grandfather followed Father, followed Son. I wish I had a quid for every time I heard a miner say 'No lad of mine will ever work down a mine.' But I knew many Father and Son teams, or brothers, who all worked together. Although mining was widespread it still formed itself into small 'communities'.
For myself, after a Grammar School Education, I spoke to an Uncle who was one of the top Officials in Yorkshire NACODS, since I had no idea what I wanted to do in life. After some thought and discussion, he suggested that the NCB had some superb apprenticeships in several fields, 'but don't tell thi'Mam I said so!!!' I went for an interview in Wakefield, and had several courses explained to me. The one I fancied was to train as a Mining Apprentice, with a view to advancement into Management. I took this route, had a superb training in all kinds of work, and made many friends in my journey, both Management and workmen. It was often hard graft, and jobs, especially when I became an Undermanager were stressful, consisted of long hours, call-outs at all hours, involved dirty,wet, hours, but I enjoyed the fellowship, earning the grudging respect of Management and men alike. I never expected a man to go where I dare not go myself, I performed all the tasks at some time, although not to the same degree of excellence that the regulars did, and above all, I loved the challenge. No two days were ever the same.