Post by davies1974 on Nov 10, 2008 12:11:24 GMT
Nice little local interest item on currently on ebay
cgi.ebay.co.uk/pit-check-B-C-Bersham-P-o-A-Point-of-Ayr_W0QQitemZ280283927945QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item280283927945&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318
Pit checks were used by when a miner working at a pit - he was issued with a lamp check or a pay check as per the one on ebay. The number on the check or tally was personal to each miner and prior to going down the pit the miner would exchange his tally for his numbered lamp from the lamp room. When the lamp was returned at the end of the shift, the tally would be returned to the miner.
In the mid 1900's, legislation introduced additional safety measures incorporating the tally's. Prior to going down the pit, the miner would give one of his tally's to the "banksman" at the pit head - and would retain another one with him for the duration of the shift. When returning safely to the surface, the miner would give his personal tally to the banksman who would in turn pass it on to the time office or the lamp room. Using this system, it was possible for the mine management to keep track on who was where in the complex and for what periods.
Sunk in 1867 Bersham Colliery was originally called Glanrafon Colliery and in 1880 eight men were killed in an explosion with a ninth man dying later from his injuries over a week later - a memorial to these men can be seen in Rhostyllen Church. Underground working at Bersham caused considerable structural damage to the nearby Erddig Hall requiring the National Coal Board top pay compensation. At its peak, Bersham had more than 100 ponies stabled underground and near disaster was averted when a huge fire threatened the pit in 1937. Bersham Colliery was closed in December 1986. (info from www.bbc.co.uk/wales/coalhouse/sites/mines/pages/bersham_colliery.shtml)
cgi.ebay.co.uk/pit-check-B-C-Bersham-P-o-A-Point-of-Ayr_W0QQitemZ280283927945QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item280283927945&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318
Pit checks were used by when a miner working at a pit - he was issued with a lamp check or a pay check as per the one on ebay. The number on the check or tally was personal to each miner and prior to going down the pit the miner would exchange his tally for his numbered lamp from the lamp room. When the lamp was returned at the end of the shift, the tally would be returned to the miner.
In the mid 1900's, legislation introduced additional safety measures incorporating the tally's. Prior to going down the pit, the miner would give one of his tally's to the "banksman" at the pit head - and would retain another one with him for the duration of the shift. When returning safely to the surface, the miner would give his personal tally to the banksman who would in turn pass it on to the time office or the lamp room. Using this system, it was possible for the mine management to keep track on who was where in the complex and for what periods.
Sunk in 1867 Bersham Colliery was originally called Glanrafon Colliery and in 1880 eight men were killed in an explosion with a ninth man dying later from his injuries over a week later - a memorial to these men can be seen in Rhostyllen Church. Underground working at Bersham caused considerable structural damage to the nearby Erddig Hall requiring the National Coal Board top pay compensation. At its peak, Bersham had more than 100 ponies stabled underground and near disaster was averted when a huge fire threatened the pit in 1937. Bersham Colliery was closed in December 1986. (info from www.bbc.co.uk/wales/coalhouse/sites/mines/pages/bersham_colliery.shtml)