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The 1930's

In 1930 the Hamstead Colliery (1930) Ltd was formed and the next decade heralded investment both in the mine and facilities for the miners with £100,000 being spent on the mine and £60,000 on a recreation ground, pit head baths and a new miners institute. £25,000 was spent on the Brickworks.

Sixty new houses had been built by 1938 with another thirty planned. These were let to employees at nominal rent.

The improvements to the mine included new winding engines, screens, washing and power plants. The power house was capable of providing the full requirments of the Colliery and Brickworks. The washing plant removes all foreign matter to ensure a clean fuel is produced.

There was modernisation of the underground working with steel supports rather than wooden pit props and an electrically driven underground railway to allow men to ride instead of walking the two mile underground journey to the coal face. Coal was also hauled from the pit face using underground 200 h.p. motors replacing the surface Steam Engines and associated wire ropes.

One of the first Lansdale Loading Plants was erected which allowed efficient handling of fuel for delivery to Industial and Household Markets.

Statistics

Source: Colliery Year Book and Coal Trades Directory. Published by The Louis Cassier Co. Ltd

Power Used: Electric, Steam
Annual Output: 260,000 tons
Class of Coal: Household, Manufacturing, Steam

Company Directors and Manager - 1933

  • Chairman: Yates, R. R. C., Highfields, West Bromwich
  • Managing Director: Clark, W. F., The Poplars, Aldridge, nr. Walsall
  • Vernon, G. E., 29, Woodbourne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham
  • Directors: Clark, W. F., The Poplars, Aldridge, nr. Walsall
  • James, A. D., The Anchorage, Handsworth Wood Road, B'ham
  • James, D. D., The Dell, Hartop Road, Four Oaks, nr. Birmingham
  • Payton, E. L., Cranford, Cotton Lane, Moseley
  • Vernon, C. E. M., 32, Devonshire Road, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham
  • Vernon, G. E., 29, Woodbourne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham
  • Yates, R. R. C., Highfields, West Bromwich
  • Secretary: Shaw, W. W. E.
  • Chief Engineer: Aldridge, W.
  • Manager: W. D. Rose

Employees Under ground - 600, Above ground 200

Company Directors and Manager - 1940

  • Chairman: Payton, E. L., Cranford, Cotton Lane, Moseley
  • Directors: James, A. D., Moxhull Hall, Wishaw, Warwickshire
  • James, D. D., Little Aston, Streetly
  • Payton, E. L., Cranford, Cotton Lane, Moseley
  • Poole, H. D., Duneden, Wombourne, Staffs.
  • Vernon, G. E., "Glenmorag," Haig Avenue, Canford Cliffs, Bournemouth
  • Manager: Price, B.
  • Secretary: Leighton, A.
  • Agent: Price, B.

Employees under ground - 650, above ground 200

Information

  • The HAMSTEAD MINERS MEMORIAL TRUST is a registered Charity No.1098711
  • We welcome information and photographs on Hamstead Colliery and Great Barr