Tunley

This post is part of a series called Somerset Coal Miners
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About This Location:

  • Priston was the last deep mine to be opened in Somerset, sinking of the shaft started in March 1914.
  • The sinking was carried out during the years of acute shortage of materials because of World War One, second hand equipment had to be used.
  • The first coal was raised to the surface in 1915, with much glee a flag pole was erected and the Union Jack run up.
  • Coal production began about July 1915 when the shaft reached its full depth of 750 feet.
  • Sinking the second shaft began in 1916 with cages being used from December 1917.
  • Road vehicles were used to carry the coal to Radford Wharf at the foot of Lower Conygre Colliery incline.
  • A 5 ton steam lorry was bought in July 1921 but proved to be unreliable, frequently breaking down.
  • The old wooden headgear was replaced by a concrete one between September 1920 and March 1921.
  • Priston pit was never very successful due to the economy budget, it was finally sold to Sir Frank Beauchamp in February 1923.
  • The pits main customer Bath Gas Works ceased all purchases on August 14th 1929 after suffering a bad fire.
  • The pit closed in June 1930.

About Somerset Coal:

We believe that Somerset coal was first discovered by the Romans. They were in the West Country 43AD, and there are references to it being used at the Temple of Minerva in Aqua Sulis (Bath). The coal used was probably found in coal outcrops around Stratton-on-the-Fosse, and transported along the Roman road – the Fosseway – for use in Bath.

Early coal workings, from coal outcrops, were largely in the Nettlebridge Valley, around Stratton-on-the-Fosse and Coleford, and to the North of the Coalfield, around High Littleton. It is estimated that output in 1500 was estimated about 10,000 tons a year, and that this had increased 10-fold by the late 1600s…

For even more information and history of Somerset Coal, Click Here.