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Hi,
Of course I can share some information

ABOUT OUR COAL & PROCESS

Our process includes mixing resin and coal dust together and then putting it into a silicone mould and waiting until it is set which usually takes overnight depending on weather. We add about 30% coal dust into the resin. Every item is handmade.

Our coal is from Coleford high delf seam and comes from Wallsend colliery, which opened in 1869 and over the years reopened, but finally closed in around 1981-1982. It was then reopened by the present miners about 7 years ago who are still mining coal, and also reopening an old underground workings that go to the bottom of an air shaft up by Danby Lodge, which supplies the fresh air to the underground workings of wallsend colliery itself.

Wallsend in it’s heyday employed over 200 people working underground and also ponies whose names were: Polly, Black dolly, Kit, Beauty, Dolly, Spider, Darkey, Bessie and Mousey. The pit ponies then went for auction in 1920.

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Hi Arabel,many thanks. The ornaments are made by two ex-miners,not me I’m afraid. The theory derives from when miner’s were on their lunch break and used to actually carve little ornaments from large lumps of coal. Although they were rough,dirty and not very realistic,the idea was kept in tradition. These same two miners came up with this idea to make these ornaments with machinery,whilst still using real Scottish coal. The original ornaments were very dirty and these new ones were also very dirty upon completion but they then came up with the idea to spray them with a clear spray to not only seal them but to protect from getting “black fingers” when you held them. I hope this gives you an insight,have a lovely life,Mark xxx

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Hi Arabel, I'm really sorry I bought it in a box of Ornaments at auction in Leyland, Lancashire, so know nothing of it's history that is all I can tell you about it. I am, however, pleased you like it. Kind regards Alison

(That already helps! Thanks a lot! Do you remember any of the other things in the box? Just to give me a bit of context :))

No I'm really sorry, I used to pick boxes by something in it that called to my heart then sold the rest on

Stuff that usually comes in to the auction is quite often local. The auction house was Warren & Wignalls in Leyland, its only a small one.

(That already helps! Thanks a lot! Do you remember any of the other things in the box? Just to give me a bit of context :))

Ok, yes he was in a box of just owls so obviously an owl collector

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Tram - "The Kindmaker. Road Transport Collection Tram"

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Tram - "The Kindmaker. Road Transport Collection Tram"

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Hi Arable,

I only buy and sell so it wasn't originally mine. Sorry

Rob

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Hello, I am so pleased you love the piece. My Grandad, who was born in 1915, worked down the Ellington pit. During WWII, he was called up, and was given 'lighter duties' in case he was needed at the pit. He was actually a 'batman' to officers, and trained on searchlights in Norfolk. In his later years he began collecting colliery souvenirs. You bought the last of them. Kind regards Jane

A batman is a butler in the army

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Hi so pleased you liked them . I have had them for years as I live in the north near Durham so probably brought them from there. I have a big collection of cats as well as 3 real ones so always loved them so myself and others but me them. Hope you get joy from looking at their heritage x

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Not very exciting I am afraid. I bought it in a charity shop a few years ago.

It was Barnsley in South Yorkshire

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Hi Arabel

Glad you like the piece how interesting that you are researching these, I can't give you much information though, I brought it about 5 years ago from a charity shop in Kent. I thought it was unusual and liked the design. Good luck with your search

Jill

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Hi my mum got this in bowness about 25 years ago , he was in a shop on his own and she said ho looked sad so she brought him home.

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Hi Arabel. Thanks very much for your purchase. The only thing I know is that my wife is from a coal mining town in West Wales called Ammanford, she used to collect some things like that. Sadly I lost my wife 3 years ago she was 52 so that's all I can really say about it.

Cheers Stu