Good things can come from social media & some
fascinating (to me) Notts mining history
Social media has many faults and many bad actors using it for negative/appalling purposes but my experience of it has been quite positive, indeed, it has connected me with new Kirkby-In-Ashfield friends and helped me better understand my family’s coal mining history.
Back around 5 or so years ago I placed an old family photo on the Kirkby Living Memory FB page and the consequences were very positive as people chipped in with their knowledge of my Dad’s side of the family; the Robertson’s of Hampden Street. One response turned into a friendship and that, in turn, created another friendship with former Kirkby residents Geoff Chapman and David Amos. Like me, they left Kirkby some years ago but unlike me they are both still Nottinghamshire residents. They are now firm friends and without FB I would never have got to know them.
David Amos is a history and heritage expert particularly with regard to coal mining in the East Midlands and he has helped me research the industry which up until the previous generation of my family, before mine, was a way of life that no longer exists at all.
Geoff Chapman has a direct connection with my Dad’s family as his family knew my grandma’s sister’s family Kath & Len Harrison and their 3 sons (Rex, David & Melvyn), once of Victoria Road, Kirkby. Geoff and I also share a love of cricket.
I had a grandad at Kirkby (Summit) Colliery (Walter Calladine), an Uncle at Bentinck Colliery (Henry Wright) and another Uncle at Sherwood Colliery (Doug Depledge), plus I had an uncle who was a driver at Kirkby Loco Shed (Ken Calladine).
I now travel back to Kirkby at least once a year, usually when Notts County Cricket Club has a home fixture, as cricket has always been been a big thing amongst the men in my family too. My Dad, George, knew Joe Hardstaff Jr and my Mum, Sheila, went to school in Kirkby with one of Harold Larwood’s daughters.
With David Amos advice I have now read quite a number of books about coal mining in Notts and the wider East Midlands not least the ones David has written himself (Coal Mining in the East Midlands – David Amos & Natalie Braber & Coal in the Blood – Natalie Braber & David Amos). Most recently I’ve read this book -
It’s a fascinating read about miner’s housing in various communities within Notts. it was funded by the National Lottery and is at part of the Minor2Major project’s website - https://miner2major.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/ & FB page https://www.facebook.com/miner2majorproject
Even though my family left our Kirkby home (14 Orchard Road) withme aged 6 in 1964 I find that the town and it’s heritage a continuing source of interest. That Kirkby has it’s own Heritage Centre, which I’ve visited a number of times, is brilliant. I guess I’m a Kirkby lad and always will be.
