Staffordshire

Sadly the Woodman pub on the corner of Goodson Street and Old Hall Street, Hanley, is now closed and derelict. It appears to date from the late nineteenth century.

Wheatly's was established before 1819 and was famous for its 'Triton' brand roofing tiles. In 1978 the company was taken over by Daniel Platt Ltd of Brownhills Tileries in Stoke, then in 1982 works was closed and demolished soon afterwards.

Nicholls & Clarke at Burslem are manufacturers of Nicobond tile adhesives.

The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance is performed around the village on the monday following the first sunday after the fourth of September! :-o This is the oldest dance tradition in England, and the reindeer antlers that the dancers carry have been carbon dated to around 1065. At the end of the day's entertainment the horns are returned to the parish church where they remain until the next year.

Florence No.2 is digging in behind a rake of wagons on the climb out of Foxfield Colliery yard.

The carcase of Chatterley Whitfield Colliery continues to rot away. Shame on you Stoke Council.

Time was when a tour of an industrial railway was undertaken with the participants climbing into wagons for the journey. To remember the old ways a nostalgic wagon trip was arranged on the Chasewater Light Railway for members of the Industrial Railway Society prior to their 2013 AGM. The trip was blessed with warm sunshine and a good time was had by all. Even the smuts were authentic!

A typical small licensed mine that was once quite common. Silverdale, North Staffordshire, March 1982

The beautifully restored station at Consall on the Churnet Valley Railway. The waiting shelter overhanging the Caldon Canal is a particularly well known feature of this location.

Cherry Eye Bridge over the Caldon Canal between Consall and Froghall. The name is thought to derive from the red-rimmed eyes of the iron ore miners (or Raddlemen) as they crossed over on their way home from work.

04/1 63601 departing Cheddleton on the Churnet Valley Railway

B1 61264 crossing the Caldon Canal at Consall Forge on the Churnet Valley Railway.

LNWR Super 'D' approaching Cheddleton whilst running in on the Churnet Valley Railway.

Churnet Valley Railway. Consall station sees a dmu depart past the newly restored second platform andwaiting shelter.

Ex Harrogate Gasworks No.1 Peckett 2050/1944 approaches the crossing loop on the Statfold Barn Private Railway on 16-9-06.

Almost brand new Hunslet Engine Co 3903/2005 climbs the bank toward the farm terminus on the Statfold Barn Private Railway on 16-9-06.

Through the intermediate station of the conveyor system can be seen the Institute shaft at the Chatterley Whitfield Colliery in North Staffordshire, UK. To the right is the Hesketh shaft which was steam wound until closure in 1976. I remember standing on the top of the dirt tip in 1975 and watching the shift change taking place. There was steam and activity and men heading for work and for home. We thought it would last for ever and now there are no pits left in North Staffordshire.....................

A small part of the Thomas Bolton copperworks at Froghall, North Staffordshire.