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In 1995, the preservation group Friends of Pleasley Pit was formed and urgent restoration work began. In 1996, Pleasley Colliery was scheduled as an Ancient Monument and the deteriorating roof on the engine-house was completely renewed. The 40 metre tall brick chimney also underwent major renovation.

In the 10 years following formation of the Friends of Pleasley Pit an enormous amount of work was done by volunteers – first in clearing years of accumulated debris from inside the engine-house, and then beginning the mammoth task of dismantling the two steam winders ready for renovation.

By the end of 2005, the No 1 winder had been reassembled and painted, and by 2007 it was being turned by an electric-motor friction drive. Restoration work then focused on the much larger No 2 winder.

In 2010, with funding from English Heritage, the two headstocks and the engine-house complex underwent major conservation repairs. In 2011 the site received the Historic England Angel Award for ‘Best Rescue of an Historic Industrial Building’

With the ending of Covid resrictions in 2022, the Visitor Centre opened to the public, and in 2023, Pleasley Pit celebrated its 150th Anniversary.

The restoration and preservation of the two steam winding engines that are such a special feature of this industrial heritage site, continues through the dedicated efforts of the Friends of Pleasley Pit volunteers.

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Links

www.pleasleypittrust.org.uk
Official website for Pleasley Pit includes links to the Pleasley Country Park and Nature Reserve, and details trails and walks in the area. Keep up to date with events and opening times for the visitor centre, cafe and museum.

miningheritage.co.uk
Official website for coal mining culture in the East Midlands. Keep up to date with mining anniversaries, mining heritage events, and projects across the region.

thelandtrust.org.uk/space/pleasley/
The Pleasley Pit site is managed with the support of The Land Trust.