Introduction
|
Haig Colliery Mining
Museum
Introduction |
Coal mining in Whitehaven dates back to the thirteenth century when the monks from St Bees Abbey supervised the opening of coal mines at Arrowthwaite. This long history ended abruptly in March 1986 when Haig Pit, Cumbria's last deep coal mine, finally closed.
During this time, the gassy nature of the mines had caused many violent explosions. Over 1200 men, women, and children have been killed in the Whitehaven pits while winning coal in workings up to four miles out beneath the Solway Firth.
The winding engine house has been undergoing restoration since early 1994 by a group of local volunteers. The work on phase one of the project has been made possible by grant aid from the Heritage Lottery Fund, European Regional Development Fund, the Science Museum's PRISM fund, Cumbria County Council, the Garfield Weston Foundation, and the Manifold Trust.
Recent grant awards from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Cumbria Waste Management, and the Coalfield Regeneration Trust have completed the funding for phase 1B, which is due for completion in September.
LATEST NEWS on Progress.
Further grants from the Millennium Festival Awards for All, Cumbria County Council Community Regeneration Fund, theCoalfield Regeneration Trust, and the Lyndhurst Settlement have allowed the group to employ a Manager, Heritage Officer and Administrator to open the museum five days a week.
Please check the Visitor Information page or phone the museum for opening times and details on days when the steam winding engine will be operating.
Volunteers are always welcome to join the team - no previous experience is necessary !
Not all the work requires overalls and crawling over large engines. We are desperate for all kinds of jobs to be completed - many of them involve paper work or visiting local schools etc.
Charity Number 1050534
Donations are appreciated to help the ongoing work. For more information please contact the museum or click here
© 2000 Haig Pit Restoration Group