Belle View Lane

Blidworth Colliery was originally known as Newstead No2 Colliery until around 1930. The shafts were sunk in 1924 – 1926 by the Newstead Colliery Co Ltd to the north of the old village. After sinking the shafts a geological fault caused major problems for the Newstead Colliery Company, as the coal was found to be much deeper than that of the neighbouring collieries of Rufford (Rainworth) and Bilsthorpe.

In 1928 a decision was made to close the pit until a solution was found. This resulted in miners being transferred to other pits and the new houses being boarded-up. Fortunately the pit re-opened in 1929.

The model village was built right up to the pit gates within about 55 yards of the mine shafts. The canteen and pit head baths running parallel with Belle View Lane directly in front of an open area called The Crescent which was used for the colliery offices, St Andrew’s Mission Hall, and later a car park. This area is now occupied by houses and single storey bungalows that were built after the pit closure.

Originally, the colliery cages (lifts) that transported men and materials up and down the mine shafts to the pit bottom were powered by two steam winding engines. These were located in a large engine winding house and were manufactured by Markham and Co., Chesterfield.

To the left of the engine house was a cooling tower and the pit chimney which in common with other Nottinghamshire pit villages could be seen for miles and symbolised the industrial activity of the colliery which worked around the clock on a shift system divided into Mornings, Afternoons and Nights.

During the annual ‘pit holidays’ returning from the east coast resorts of Skegness and the Derbyshire Miners Holiday Camp in Winthorpe, the sight of the pit chimneys on the horizon told the holiday makers that they were almost home.

Blidworth’s No1 steam winder was replaced by an electric winder in August 1976, and No2 was replaced in 1978 when the pit chimney was demolished.

Blidworth Colliery survived for a few years after the 1984-85 miner’s strike but finally closed on 3rd February 1989 after 62 years of operation.

This early image of the colliery taken along Belle View Lane, shows the pit chimney, cooling tower and the winding engine house.

Pneumatic roof supports, known as ‘chocks’  underground at Blidworth Colliery, 

Coal – the shiny, brittle, combustable fossil-fuel, extracted from the remains of a prehistoric carboniferous forest, deep underground.

Food being prepared in the Blidworth Colliery Kitchen (1950s)

The pit showers and canteen were built in a modern architectural style. In the background on the horizon is the aerial ropeway which carried waste to the pit tips.

Striking miners and police congregate on Belle View Lane outside Blidworth Colliery during the 1984-85 miners strike.