HISTORY OF THE SITE Hemingfield Colliery, also known as Elsecar Low Colliery, was developed in the 1840’s by Earl Fitzwilliam and was under the management of Benjamin Biram. The sinking of the shafts took several years to complete and finally reached the Barnsley coal seam in 1847. The colliery consisted of two shafts; a working shaft and a smaller diameter pumping shaft for draining the colliery. The first significant coal was mined in 1848 when 1,000 tonnes a day was extracted. A firedamp explosion in 1852 killed ten miners and injured four others. An enquiry put it down to human error, improved safety enforcement was later implemented as a result. Hemingfield Colliery stopped coal production for the Earl in 1920, but was still utilised as a pumping station by the South Yorkshire Pumping Association until the 1990s.
MORE INFORMATION - Friends of Hemingfield Colliery
ABOUT THE FRIENDS OF HEMINGFIELD COLLIERY Friends of Hemingfield Colliery was established in 2013 with the aim of purchasing the colliery and safeguarding the future of the site. Their offer was successful and the transaction was completed in 27th June 2014. The Friends were intent on taking immediate action, which has initially involved clearing up the land of vegetation that has built up over many years. This aim will then progress to the larger task of the renovation of the original 1840's colliery buildings and headgears. Proposals for the renovation and re-use of the site have been formulated with the help of the University of Sheffield Live Project team, which consisted of architecture and conservation students. Extensive research and local community engagements have helped to shape these possible future schemes, enforcing the aim of bringing the community and the colliery together once again. The proposals include; an archive, a community arts space, a temporary cinema, a cafĂŠ, links to Elsecar Heritage Railway and the Trans Pennine Trail, however, there are many other opportunities still to be considered.
Friends of Hemingfield Colliery Hemingfield Colliery http://hemingfieldcolliery.wordpress.com/ - Hemingfiled Colliery Live Project http://thehemingfieldcolliery.wordpress.com/
H e m i n g fi e l d C o l l i e r y P r o j e c t
ADDRESS Wath Rd, Hemingfield Barnsley, South Yorkshire S73 0PA
CONTACTS - Friends of Hemingfield Colliery TEL: 07955270977 Alternatively contact through the wordpress website
AWARENESS DOCUMENT SECURING A FUTURE FOR THE HEMINGFIELD COLLIERY
LIVE TS PROJEC
HOW TO FIND US By Train Take the Northern Rail service to Elsecar Rail Station, from the station head right to Cobcar Street, turn right onto Cobcar Lane then turn left onto Wath Road (B6097). Hemingfield Colliery is on the left. By Bus - From Elsecar Train Station Turn left out of Elsecar Train station and cross to the bus stop on the opposite side of the road. Take the 72, 72A or 648 to Hemingfield, adjacent to Pit Row bus stop. By Car - From South Sheffield Head Northwest on the A6109, take the 1st exit at the roundabout onto the M1 ramp to Leeds/Barnsley, exit the motorway at junction 36 and take the A61 exit to Barnsley (South). Take the second exit at the roundabout onto the Dearne Valley Parkway(A6195), at the next roundabout take the third exit onto Hemingfield Road. Turn right onto Tingle Bridge Lane then turn right onto Wath Road (B6097). Hemingfield Colliery is on the right.