After nearly 100 years of history Welbeck Colliery closed on Tuesday 11 May.
A group of miners had been chosen to represent the men either losing their livelihood or travelling 140 miles per day to work at other mines owned by UK Coal. There were more press, camera men and photographers than men on the cold and blustery Tuesday lunchtime. Listening to the men being interviewed there was a camaraderie between them, almost a gallows humour. Perhaps looking at reality is easier through eyes filled with laughter rather than tears.
This event brought home the work I had done. Up to now I saw the beauty and the magnificence of the mines I had visited. Pleasley was a picture of tranquility sat as it is amongst a nature reserve. I am concerned about the loss of these buildings on the culture of nottinghamshire and the East Midlands but here I saw the real cost - friendships broken and communities split.
A group of miners had been chosen to represent the men either losing their livelihood or travelling 140 miles per day to work at other mines owned by UK Coal. There were more press, camera men and photographers than men on the cold and blustery Tuesday lunchtime. Listening to the men being interviewed there was a camaraderie between them, almost a gallows humour. Perhaps looking at reality is easier through eyes filled with laughter rather than tears. 
This event brought home the work I had done. Up to now I saw the beauty and the magnificence of the mines I had visited. Pleasley was a picture of tranquility sat as it is amongst a nature reserve. I am concerned about the loss of these buildings on the culture of nottinghamshire and the East Midlands but here I saw the real cost - friendships broken and communities split.
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