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Silverdale
Colliery was operational between 1830 and 1998
and was originally opened to provide coal to the
Silverdale ironworks. The colliery was
previously known as 'Kent's Lane' and prior to
nationalisation was managed by the Shelton Iron,
Steel & Coal Company (as were Apedale and
Holditch Collieries).
Silverdale was always a very productive pit with
outputs of over three quarters of a million
tonnes per year in the late 1970s. Twenty
million pounds was invested in the pit in 1980,
sinking two new shafts and extending the drift
workings, which boosted output to over one
million tonnes per year. Unfortunately production declined during the 1980s
and the colliery was closed in 1993. It was
reopened in 1995 by Coal Investments Ltd. but
finally closed in December 1998, the last coal
mine in the Potteries area to cease production.
Memories
of Silverdale from Mr. Kenneth Holland:
'I
worked in the Silverdale Mine during the Second
World War. I was
enlisted as a Bevin Boy and I remember being
stuck in an Air Raid for eight hours with no
light, which was a moment I shall not forget.
The
manager Mr. Nickin demanded a shilling for the
broken lamp, which I refused to pay; fines like
this we usual and Mr. Nickin and I never got on.
However I found the whole experience
interesting meeting many local people. We all
did about six years of duty.'
Do you have memories of Silverdale Colliery that
you would like to contribute to the project? If
so please use our feedback
form.
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