“They built this city” - Life and death in Salford’s Pendleton Colliery 85 years on
As the years tick away the number of ex-coal miners in Salford decreases, slowly but surely washing away the memories that reflect a time of value and meaning to the city.
Over the past few months it has been a pleasure understanding the importance of our coal mining history in Salford, and in particular, the stories of Pendleton Colliery.
The value of this pit and its influence on Salford today cannot be understated. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I did learning about ‘Pengy Pit’.
Also this week, a fundraiser is attempting to light up Boothstown this Christmas. The residents association has raised over £9,000 so far for a light display. There’s more news and events from across Salford too - including fears for an old Salford theatre but good news fo the Salford Lads Club.
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“No compensation was paid for any miner killed or injured at this time” - Miners’ stories from ‘Pengy Pit’
As the years tick away, the number of ex-coal miners in Salford decreases. Memories that reflect a time of value and pertinence to the city are disappearing.
Standing on top of Whit Lane, ‘Pengy Pit’ was one of the significant Salford coal mines. Today, little evidence remains that the Colliery ever existed, as in its place stands an ordinary urban street.
Coal mining was rampant in Salford during the late 19th and early 20th century, with five pivotal pits serving the needs of the community: Agecroft, Clifton, Wheatsheaf, Newtown and Pendleton.
For almost 120 years, a brave workforce descended into a barrage of heat in poor working conditions.
The conditions were utterly horrendous. The pit was known for its sheer depth – over 3,600 feet – a bite mark into the Earth’s crust, and the deepest in the country at the time.
The miners had an immense impact on the Industrial Revolution, as the coal was supplied to the mills, ironworks, engineering and other manufacturing firms across the Irwell Valley. Additionally, their wage was ‘pathetic’, as described in The Last Pit in the Valley – a book by Paul Kelly, who is working to commemorate the miners of Salford.
Andrew Knowles had ownership of the Colliery at the time and is not well regarded amongst miners for his constant attempts to prevent unionisation.
A further extract from the book details the horrific conditions: “In the early days of coal mining, there were many accidents which included fatalities. None were recorded.
Next year will mark a century since the Pendleton Colliery Disaster, where six men sadly went into the pit and never came out.
The result of that was a severe “crump”, which in layman’s terms, is when the roadway closes in from the roof to the floor, caused by an explosion of methane gas. The helpless miners would have been crushed in between.
It was a typical day, with 17 men working on the West side of the 14th level, including firemen, repairers, haulage hands, and colliers. Inspections were made the night before and morning of, and everything was deemed in good condition at 8:30 am. Just 90 minutes later, an incident took away the lives of six working men.
“In the early days of coal mining, there were many accidents which included fatalities. None were recorded. If a miner was injured in the pit, the colliery owner was only obliged to leave the poor miner at the pit top. No compensation was paid for any miner killed or injured at this time,” - Extract from The Last Pit In The Valley
The Inquest that followed revealed that this seam was subject to small crumps, a seismic dislocation of the mine workings attributed to severe stresses in the rock. The miners regarded crumps as one of the hazards of a dangerous job.
Among the dead was 19-year-old Robert Hanrahan, who lived locally to the pit.
Unfortunately, it was not the only disaster on this scale at Pendleton Colliery. 55 years previously, eight were killed in an explosion, including four children aged between 14 and 16.
It was a ruthless business, with no sympathy or time to mourn those lost in the collieries: employees were disposable; owners were remorseless.
An extra level of working was added in 1926, a staggering sixteenth, so deep it was called the ‘ultimate depth’ at which mining could safely take place due to the extreme temperature and geological issues that made the work hazardous.
Workers often carried ten pints of water down to that level to stay hydrated in the tricky conditions. An extract from ‘The Last Decade’ by ex-Pendleton miner Harry Singleton describes the conditions in the final years of the Colliery.
“In those days everyone would enjoy long summer evenings, and when on our way to the pit to start a night shift, we would pass people sitting on chairs and stools outside their front doors engaged in neighbourly gossip, and who never failed to bid us, ‘Goodnight lads, take good care of yourselves’, sentiments we appreciated and always responded to with thanks.
“During the summer months after a hard day working in the tunnels deep underground, we younger miners would make a 'bee-line' for the main canal as soon as we had arrived back on the surface and being the 'perfect gentlemen' we were, ever mindful of the usual summer strollers along the canal side, waited for the opportune moment to quickly strip naked and take a swift running dive into the sometimes moss-covered water.”
Another anecdote in the book describes a day when Harry and his colleague, Billy Courts, were involved in a near-death incident in the pit.
“I have no idea how long we had been working when, without the slightest warning, it seemed that the world collapsed about my ears and I was knocked to the ground and suddenly finding myself in total darkness.
“I saw a mound of rock where Billy had been working and remember yelling his name in alarm at the sight, and it was then that I heard a sound I never wish to hear again as long as I live, a muffled animal-like screeching sound that made my flesh crawl.
“…it was then that I heard a sound I never wish to hear again as long as I live, a muffled animal-like screeching sound that made my flesh crawl.”
Harry then sought to get help from one of his colleagues, Stan, in an attempt to release Billy from the rock.
The story continued: “Calling and telling him that I would have to leave him to go for help was the hardest thing I ever had to do, leaving him trapped under a pile of rock in total darkness, his lamp having been buried with him.
“At the time he must have believed I was deserting him, for I shall never forget the names he called me as I left to descend the brow, going in the direction that Stan and the others had taken, and I cannot describe my feelings as I left him and heard his cries, that moment has lived with me ever since.”
Billy was released, then lifted out of the pit, and taken to Salford Royal. Harry noted that he lost contact with Billy shortly afterwards.
Despite these appalling conditions and incredible danger, this era was glorified in Salford by everyone connected with the pits. Community spirit - a necessity in such trying times - was rock solid and many pined for a return to those simpler times in the years that followed.
Pat Singleton, 81, and daughter-in-law of Harry, tells a story that was absent from the book – that his brother was the last person to die in Pendleton Colliery before the closure in 1939. Pat describes the personal turmoil of a family member losing their life in the pit.
“It was the 31st of January, 1939, one of the pit props collapsed, and Robert Singleton was killed,” said Pat. “My father-in-law was with him at the time, and he talked about the four men putting him on a flatbed and bringing him to the bottom of the pit.
“He hadn’t been allowed to go with him because he was so devastated. He went home and told his father what happened and the heartbreak of it all. It was very vivid, and never really left him.”
Pendleton Colliery closed in April of that year, an agonisingly painful event for Harry to deal with. Although the pit had tumultuous events, the eternal friendships and intensely close bonds between those who had worked or were connected to the pit endured.
Work continues to commemorate the workers of the Colliery, and the Irwell Valley Mining Project (IVMP) erected a memorial bench this month with the names of those who lost their lives at Pendleton pit.
Plans are in place to create a banner for Pendleton Colliery – a £1000 fundraiser – will soon be launched, and hopefully, Pengy Pit will be remembered eternally with genuine memorials.
Paul Kelly, the secretary of the IVMP, explained why it is so important to remember those who worked in the coal mines in Salford.
Paul said: “It has been 85 years since the pit shut near enough, and I am proud of the achievement of recognising those people. It recognises the sacrifice and fantastic work they did for our community, and that made us who we are today.
“The Pendleton miners are long gone. The people here are Salford descendants, they are great grandfathers or great uncles, and there is a connection. They built this city, they gave their lives and their blood, their health and we should remember that.”
“Help light up Boothstown for Christmas” – Residents raise over £9,000 for new Christmas lights display
Boothstown Residents Association has raised more than £9,000 towards new Christmas lights – but wants to raise more to really brighten up the area.
The Christmas lights will be installed then taken down and stored and re-installed each year, for over three years.
These upgraded lights can be seen along the stretch of Leigh Road, around the trees and lampposts on the edge of the precinct. Read more here.
“Together we’ve kept the light shining!” – Salford Lads Club hits its fundraiser target and secures its future
The iconic Salford Lads Club have surpassed their fundraising goal of £250,000 to keep their lights on for future generations.
The fundraiser was launched in October, and was set up to combat the financial crisis that the youth centre has faced.
The 121-year-old venue has now passed their goal reaching over £270,000 that has now ensured survival, thanks to the help of over 1,400 donations. Read more here.
‘Waiting game’ as abandoned Salford Victoria Theatre goes up for auction
Salford Victoria Theatre has been put up for sale at auction with a price tag of £650,000.
The Grade-II listed building, once a thriving theatre, cinema and bingo hall, opened up in 1900 – but has fallen into a state of disrepair in recent years.
The private owner has most recently put the site up for sale, with bids starting from December 3 and closing on December 4. Read more here.
Treehouse Café serves Salford residents sustainability with locally sourced ingredients
A local Salford café offers more than just great food, coffee and cosy vibes but a focus on sustainability and local businesses.
The café based on Lower Broughton Road, is currently on a mission to support local farmers and reduce its environmental impact.
Treehouse has become a standout example of how small, independent businesses can make a big impact. Read more here.
Salford hub appeals for support to keep community space open
A Salford community hub Little Bees is appealing for support to help tackle the challenges of rising costs and increased bills.
The Little Bees is a cherished community play space in Salford that has been a vital hub for local families.
The community space offers affordable activities and a safe environment for children to play and grow. Read more here.
What’s On in Salford this week
🎄Christmas events kick off in Salford this weekend with events such as ‘Walkden in a Winter Wonderland’ being hosted in Walkden town centre this Saturday, November 30. Find out more here.
🏃🏼♀️ If you are looking to get active this Sunday, Mind in Salford is holding a 5km ‘Mental Elf’ Festive Run at 11 am on December 1 at Peel Park to raise money for mental health in Salford. Find out more here.
⚽️ Salford City returns to FA Cup action this weekend against League Two outfit Cheltenham Town. The Ammies have the opportunity to reach the third round and face Premier League opposition with a victory. Read more here.
Our photo of the week: Agecroft Power Station, Pendlebury, Salford
This is Agecroft Power Station, not a hyper-realistic photo from The Simpsons. These cooling towers were coal-fired, and operated between 1925 and 1993, all supplied by Agecroft Colliery.
The power station supplied 100,000Kw of electricity to power homes and industry in Salford and beyond during that period. Cooling water was obtained from the River Irwell.
Before the nationalisation of British electricity in 1948, the station and its cooling towers were under the control of the Salford Corporation Electricity Department.
Since demolition, the site still features some original buildings, although most of these are stripped. The area is now HM Prison Forest Bank, which holds category B male offenders.
Thank you for reading
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A brilliant piece and very important. Working class history is valuable and much ignored by the establishment.