Description:In 1875 the Hamstead Colliery Company purchased the Hamstead estate to look for coal; the colliery, by Great Barr station, was launched in July. Coal was essential for industry, and for domestic heating. In 1880 the newspapers reported 'The public of Handsworth, Aston, and the neighbourhood will learn with great satisfaction that an important seam of thick coal has at length been reached.' So the company directors would make money on their investment, and there would be employment for local people.
The mine was 'by far the deepest in the Midlands'. Over the next few years there were a number of deaths. These were due to fire, explosions, gaseous fumes, falls of coal or rock, or by accidents with the machinery. A serious fire in 1898 meant that the mine was closed for over a year. No lives were lost, but many miners were unemployed for a while, so there were collections for relief funds to help them and their families.
Social activities were also important. In 1886 the directors put up a reading room, and the colliers contributed money to buy books and an organ. There were visits to the mine; when the British Association came in 1896 there were a 'remarkable number of ladies' who applied for tickets. In 1898 the miners and staff provided a Christmas dinner for old people, insisting that they should have as much roast beef, plum pudding and mince pies as they could eat.
Juvenile crime could be a problem then too. In 1901 two collier boys were charged with stealing a pay token from a horse-driver, worth £1 15s 10d. William Felton, aged fourteen, said he had lost some, kept some, and spent the rest 'in presents to his girl admirers'.
(Written by Maggie Burns)