There are scores of words in the English language for use when describing the working environment of the mining classes. I have selected a wide variety to enrich this story and yet I know I have failed to convey the essence of the miner’s experience. It has often been implied that a picture paints a thousand words and although this document contains many photographs it fails to illustrate the miner’s predicament. Perhaps the only relevant text is that partly completed list of fatalities that accompanies this document, for this is indeed profound and remains a lasting testament; for despite the staggering number of casualties, surpassing those caused by the Great War, there are no plaques or cenotaphs on which to scratch their epitaph. One is left with a belief that words are pathetic concepts, that photographs are often sublime, and the total experience has been cast into oblivion, except for the dreams and nightmares of a few endangered men.
We may well ask this question; how did the mining communities survive a wretched way of life? In recent years we have witnessed the results of protracted disputes. We have seen the waste, the deprivation and the misery. However, we live in a world where the welfare state prevents families from starving. A world removed from those miserable days of the Brayton era. A time when families relied upon neighbourly compassion blended with benevolence from local shopkeepers, who may not have given away food but allowed their patrons substantial sums of credit.
The miner’s plight was partly remedied after the formation of the union. The union introduced confidence, organisation and determination; a determination to build their own Jerusalem; and a confidence to create a welfare system; in direct defiance of their masters wishes. As a means of achieving these aims new policies were adopted whereby local funds were accumulated to combat the loss of income caused through strikes and sickness. The union began to prepare in advance for strikes and it was not uncommon for mass meetings to sanction weekly levies of 6d. per member, which was retained in a fund to pay wages during hardship. However in reality there were few successes, the history of the collieries are littered with failures. The owners were a cunning devious bunch of scoundrels and one must question their role in influencing the frequency of the disputes; were they the creatures of the owners, no more than the owner’s means of determining long term results.
One of the many inherent dangers to the miner’s welfare was the fear of falling sick with the subsequent loss of income. In pre-union days little was done to provide for dependants of miners killed or maimed in the line of their employment. The average coalminer lost four times more working days through sickness than other contemporary workers, while his life expectancy was almost half. To insure against this fear, the union inaugurated a Sickness Benefit Society, with a committee to control and distribute the accumulated funds. As with most newly formed organisations recruitment was slow and there was a degree of scepticism amongst the prospective membership, many of whom could recall the days when sick clubs were run and exploited by corrupt owners. Although universal such Societies were totally independent and self financing. This fore-runner to the National Health Service received a fillip after the opening of No 4 pit, when 90 new members enrolled and paid their subscriptions. At that time the fund was receiving £380 per annum in contributions with outgoings of £355. In addition to the committee’s salary of £16, sick pay was paid at 6s. per week, on the production of a doctor’s certificate. Members were entitled to a funeral allowance of £5. Doctors’ fees exceeded £220; and Christmas vouchers to the value of £10 were allocated to elderly members. The society also supported a sick visitor’s register, whose members received a small retainer for their inconvenience. In 1924, the 696 members supported 14 widows, 1 dependant child, 23 aged miners; and 6 permanently disabled members. During that year 79 miners made claims against the minor accident department. The total income for the year amounted to £1,184; expenditure included £78 in death legacies, £307 granted to widows and children, £330 to aged miners, £97 for the permanent disabled and £105 for minor accidents. After meeting all local claims £108 was handed over to a central fund.
From a colliers perspective the most sought after position in a pit was the post of checkweighman; a miner chosen and employed by his comrades to checkweigh the weight and contents of the discharged tubs. Once elected he not only became a respected trustee but invariably attained the position of chief union negotiator; and a representative on behalf of his neighbour on a variety of local government boards. In 1893, 63 applicants were received for the vacancy at No 4 pit. After three ballots the position was filled by a local miner named Joseph Lazonby. Joe later became a member of the Urban District Council before retiring to take over the tenancy of the Station Hotel. In 1904, he was succeeded by Edward Sanderson, who defeated 17 candidates to head the ballot. Probably the most respected member of this fraternity was Johnathon Lawson, an ex Northumbrian miner who came to Aspatria in 1872. He was a checkweighman for more than twenty years; and during that time represented the miners on the County Federation Board. He was a passionate co-operator and acted first as an Auditor and later as Secretary to the Aspatria Industrial Co-operative Society, a post he retained until his retirement in 1907. Through sheer force of character he gained an extensive knowledge of local affairs. He was a member of the first Local Board, chairman of the Urban District Council, magistrate to the Wigton bench, member of the Aspatria and Silloth Joint Water Board, and long time member of the Aspatria and Brayton School Board. He was held in such esteem to be chosen albeit unsuccessfully to stand as Labour candidate for the district, in the first County Council elections.
The colliers also promoted a self-explanatory organisation known as the Miners Welfare Fund. In 1924 the committee agreed to provide a series of installations in the War Memorial Park. These included a Putting Green, a hard Tennis Court, a wooden weather shelter, and a number of sets of Bowls, marked M. W. to the value of £25. The total cost of the scheme was estimated at £570. The committee made only one stipulation, insisting that wherever possible the work would be carried out by the unemployed. In 1929 they also provided a selection of children’s play equipment which was installed at Victoria Park on Springkell, and on a site at Station Road.
The union were not alone in promoting improvements; contributions also came in a variety of forms from the individual. There was the improvement to the self. One example being the case of William Hodgson, who following a shift at the face would walk four miles to receive lessons in coal mining management. After three years of continual study he gained the necessary certificates to attain a position of Colliery Manager, albeit outside the district. In 1906, a 23 year old Aspatria miner named Isaac Martin, was appointed Chief Engineer to the Powell Daffryn Company of collieries in South Wales. He held exceptional qualifications. In the South Kensington examination in the subjects of Surveying, Mining and Geology; he not only gained a distinction but headed the list for the entire country and in the process became the youngest student to obtain the necessary qualifications to become a Colliery Manager.
There was also improvement made within the industry. Several of the colliers were weekend dabblers in scientific experiment. One such man was Thomas Lancaster, an engineman at No 4 pit. In 1896, he invented, successfully tested and later patented an appliance for increasing the safety of a drop valve drawing engine. The type used to power cage movement. In 1922 Thomas Eadie, invented a stone dusting device; a valve operated hopper which when attached to the front of a tub provided a simple economical method of treating underground roadways with incombustible dust. The appliance was later successfully marketed by Joseph Cook and Sons of Washington, County Durham. In 1923, Joseph Temperley, a stone-cutter at No 4 pit, discovered a colourless, odourless liquid, which when sprayed through pipes suspended in the roof neutralised the presence of gas and simultaneously purified the atmosphere. He later invented a shield for preventing the back firing of shot.
However it was the contribution made by the miners towards improving the community which proved the most lasting. One example being that of William Harker Reay, who commenced work at No 2 pit at the age of 13 years; went on to work at No 3, assisted in the sinking of No 4 and ended his career as a miner at No 5 pit at the grand old age of 70. Bill was intent on elevating the social position of his neighbours. He was the first secretary to the Harris Institute and Treasurer to the Miners Permanent Relief Society. He was a founder member of the Aspatria and Silloth Joint Water Board; a committee member of the Aspatria Industrial Cooperative Society; and for three years a member of the Urban District Council.
Henry Stoddart was another formidable character, born at Plumbland in 1834, he left school at the age of thirteen and began has apprentice engineer in the fitting shop of No 3 Pit. He later succeeded his father has chief engineer, an occupation he filled for 59 years. For 36 years he was engaged in educational matters, and with unselfish devotion, strived to achieve the best education for the local children. In 1892 he was elected to the Local School Board and against fierce opposition took a leading role in promoting modern teaching methods. He was also a lifelong member of the Technical and Further Educational Committee. He served on the Urban District Council for twelve years and was Chairman on three occasions. He also served on the magisterial bench at Wigton. He was an active member of the Aspatria and Silloth Joint Water Board, where his engineering knowledge made him a valuable asset. He was also a strong advocate of municipal housing and was largely responsible for introducing council housing into the district. He was actively engaged in the Temperance movement and was secretary of the Band of Hope Union and a prominent debater at the local conferences. He was also a leading member of the Brayton Tent of Rechabites and held all of their individual offices. In religious matters he was a nonconformist and served as Deacon to the Aspatria Congregational Church; in his early life he was a Sunday School teacher. It was often suggested that Henry Stoddart would never refuse an helping hand to a worthy cause. He was a valuable member of the Aspatria and District Nursing Association, and was secretary to the Noble Temple company for a period exceeding 40 years.
The management were never shy when it came to playing their part. George Henry Askew was born at Claycross, Derbyshire, in 1860. He served an apprenticeship and became a mining engineer, and eventually an assistant manager. In 1890, he succeeded William Johnson, as manager of Harriston and shortly afterwards began supervising the sinking operation of No 4 pit. Nine years later he was appointed to the dual position of Agent and Manager to all of Harris’s Collieries. Although he relinquished his managerial duties in 1915, he continued as agent until the time of his death. As a mining engineer he was well respected throughout the Northern region. In addition to being chairman of the Cumberland Coal Owners Association; he held a seat on the Advisory Committee of the North of England Institute of Colliery Managers; and was a member of the Executive Board of the Northern Counties Colliery Managers Association. He was a popular manager, who held the confidence and respect of all of his workers. He was a strong advocate of safety and was a member of the first ambulance class for mineworkers held in Great Britain. In 1892, he began a twelve year term of civic responsibilities. He was a founder member of the Aspatria Local Board, and the first Chairman of the Urban District Council. He was also one of the original members of the Aspatria and Silloth Joint Water Board. In politics he was a conservative and frequently occupied the chair at political meetings; he was the President of the local association and vice president of the Constitutional Club. He was a member of the Solway Lodge of Freemasons, and for many years acted as a Commissioner for Income Tax.
| Previous – Early Days | Next – |
This content of this webpage is the copyright of Terry Carrick – © Terry Carrick 1996 & 2025. All rights reserved. Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited.