Old Meadows Colliery 1968
Endless chain haulage, used in the area since the 18th century
Used with kind permission of Pitheadgear
This drift mine was on the northern edge of Bacup.
It was driven by Hargreaves, Ashworth & Co. around 1854 and worked the Lower Mountain or Union Mine. By 1890 the owner was George Hargreaves & Co. which employed an average of 38 men underground and 9 on the surface.
Unlike Nabb and Grime Bridge, the National Coal Board employed more men at Old Meadows, with 53 men underground and 12 on the surface. It received little modernisation, however, and the coal was hauled along 1.2 metre high roadways up to closure in March 1969.
Further reading:
- Williamson, I.A. 1999 “The Burnley Coalfield” British Mining No.63, NMRS, pp.5-27
