The news paper cutting below is about Samuel Nixon who
worked in coal mining for 51years and retired in 1965. A companying
the news paper article is a letter the CCMHS received from the late Samuel
Nixons son Joe Nixon who along with his own son Peter (the little boy in the
picture) own & run L. Nixon & Co, Engineers and Toolmakers of Willenhall, he has
kindly given us permission to feature the letter and the article on these pages.
A HAPPY 51 YEARS IN MINING (report
from 1965)
"Coal mining is a good life" commented 65 year old Samuel Nixon of Wood-avenue
Wednesfield and he should know at the end of 51 years in the coal mining
industry. At 14 he started work at the Holly Bank colliery, Essington, in the
days of picks, shovels and oil lamps. In the 1920's he spent eight years roaming
between South Wales, the Midlands and Yorkshire when he worked with men whose
job it was to sink pits. While engaged on sinking a pit on Tees-side, Mr Nixon
met his future wife Dorothy. After I was married I thought I had better settle
down. So I came back to Hilton Main colliery near Featherstone. This was one of
the collieries I helped to sink he added. Mr Nixon First became a deputy then an
overman at the colliery. On his retirement last week he had been an overman for
35 years. There was no comparison between working conditions today and those
when he started work, "Much of the really hard work is mechanised. Coal is moved
by conveyor belts, instead of ponies and endless ropes to take it to the
surface," he said "Also the pits are now
light
and airy - miners do not suffer from eye strain (Nystagmus) anymore. It is a
safe job nowadays as long as there is good discipline amongst the men. I think
factory workers may be better paid but the miners are a good friendly lot, so I
would rather work in the coal industry" he said. At the age of 65, Mr Nixon
looked a fit and healthy man "Yes I am" he said I now people say it is not good
for your health being a miner, but if everyone at my age feels as well as I do,
they wouldn't be able to grumble."
click to enlarge photos
"Coal mining is a good life" commented 65 year old Samuel Nixon of Wood-avenue
Wednesfield and he should know at the end of 51 years in the coal mining
industry. At 14 he started work at the Holly Bank colliery, Essington, in the
days of picks, shovels and oil lamps. In the 1920's he spent eight years roaming
between South Wales, the Midlands and Yorkshire when he worked with men whose
job it was to sink pits. While engaged on sinking a pit on Tees-side, Mr Nixon
met his future wife Dorothy. After I was married I thought I had better settle
down. So I came back to Hilton Main colliery near Featherstone. This was one of
the collieries I helped to sink he added. Mr Nixon First became a deputy then an
overman at the colliery. On his retirement last week he had been an overman for
35 years. There was no comparison between working conditions today and those
when he started work, "Much of the really hard work is mechanised. Coal is moved
by conveyor belts, instead of ponies and endless ropes to take it to the
surface," he said "Also the pits are now
light
and airy - miners do not suffer from eye strain (Nystagmus) anymore. It is a
safe job nowadays as long as there is good discipline amongst the men. I think
factory workers may be better paid but the miners are a good friendly lot, so I
would rather work in the coal industry" he said. At the age of 65, Mr Nixon
looked a fit and healthy man "Yes I am" he said I now people say it is not good
for your health being a miner, but if everyone at my age feels as well as I do,
they wouldn't be able to grumble."