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Alveley Mining Heritage

Alveley Mining Heritage Tribute Event at the Severn Centre Highley

Report on the final tribute event to mark fifty years since the closure of NCB Alveley Colliery, formerly The Highley Mining Co. Ltd, closed 31st January 1969

This final event was generously supported by Halo Leisure, contributors, and so many visitors from near and far on Sunday 1st December. Thanks to all the staff at Severn Centre and to Mark and Kath who opened up Minor's Cafe especially for this occasion and Reverend Mike Harris who made time again to attend, despite his busy schedule, and take photographs and record events on the day.

Alveley Mining Heritage Group displayed all photographs, artefacts and memorabilia loaned or donated to the group over the last four years of this project. Ray Matthews was at hand to talk to visitors about the Cage Detaching Hook (CDH) Sculpture he made and conceived by members of the group, now situated at Severn Valley Country Park.

Visitors admired George Poyner's working model of an incline plane and The Granville Miners set up a display of their proposed memorial which they hope will be in place in Telford Town Park in 2020. Granville Colliery at Doddington was the last deep mine to close in Shropshire and many mine workers moved to Granville after the closure of Alveley. Granville eventually closed ten years later in 1979.

Alveley Mining Heritage Group Cage Detaching Hook Memorial Sculpture

On October 6th 2019 Alveley Mining Heritage Group were proud to unveil our memorial sculpture dedicated to the men, women and boys who worked at Alveley and Highley collieries. The sculpture, based around an original cage detaching hook of the type used at the site, was conceived by group members and brilliantly constructed by Ray Matthews who worked at the colliery as a mechanical engineer.

The memorial sculpture is located at the Severn Valley Country Park, the site of NCB Alveley Colliery, formerly Highley Mining Company. Our thanks to everyone who helped with the event and siteing the memorial.

We are especially grateful to the Mayor of Bridgnorth Ron Whittle OBE and Mayoress Carol Whittle for performing the ceremonial duties.

Alveley Mining Heritage plaque dedicated to the men women and Boys who worked at Highley and Alveley Mines.
Cage Detaching Hook Memorial Sculpture
Cage Detaching Hook Memorial Sculpture - visitors assemble
L to R: Mary Tull (Treasurer), Lady Mayoress Carol Whittle, Mayor Of Bridgnorth Ron Whittle OBE, Ray Matthews who constructed the sculpture (Membership Secretary), Steve Tull and Malcolm Peel (Member

 

Archivist Opportunity - History of Alveley Pit
We have an opportunity for a volunteer archivist with Alveley Mining Heritage Group.
As a fledgling group we are starting the process from scratch so this is an exciting opportunity for anyone with the skills and a little time. We are open to a volunteer job share. We have been generously offered the Education Room for our meetings at the Severn Valley Country Park and are negotiating available space for display and storage. We are an enthusiastic and friendly group and welcome active involvement. Someone with an interest in the history of Alveley pit would be particularly welcome.
Do get in touch to discuss. We look forward to hearing from you!