|
In January 1975 all the management staff was called
to a meeting, this was not a meeting that was normally scheduled, so staff
was a little apprehensive.
The Colliery manager was the late Peter Lawrence and
he chaired the meeting. He then explained that the purpose of the meeting
was to announce that in July of that year there was to be a Royal visit to
the Colliery of Her majesty the Queen & His Royal Highness Prince Phillip.
This of course took everyone by surprise.
No final date had been fixed at that time, but this
would be announced in due coarse.
A programme was then tabled by the manger of what he
proposed. The visit was to underground and was to be the Swallowood S10’s
face which at that time only been in production a short time and was an
advancing unit.
The manager said that there would be a meeting about
the visit every week and that detailed plans for each department would be
drawn up and areas of responsibility would be allocated to each member of
staff.
I was designated with the underground arrangements
as regards the mechanical aspects of the visit. This would include:
Colliery Manager Mr. P. Lawrence
- The Coal Face machinery
- Transport of the Royal visitors to and from the
Coal Face
- The Engine house of the man riding facility and
its engine
- Ropes etc that were part of the man riding
arrangement
- Testing of mechanical equipment
- Ensuring that the statuary books were up to date
As can be seen from the list above it was quite a
daunting task although it was a normal part of my responsibilities. This
was an exceptional visit and everything had to be in excellent condition.
The surface arrangements were as far as the mechanical arrangements were
concerned were the responsibility of the Mechanical engineer Mr. M.J.
Cawkwell, he was also responsible for the overall mechanical
aspects of the visit.
Now that each area of responsibility had been set out a weekly report had
to be carried out. Certain Area staff were also designated to oversee
various tasks in conjunction with Colliery staff.
Typical coal face set up at Silverwood
At the time of the Royal visit
Now
that each area of responsibility had been set out a weekly report had to
be carried out. Certain Area staff were also designated to oversee various
tasks in conjunction with Colliery staff.
As each meeting progressed all aspects were plotted
on a chart, just as though it was a normal mining project and certain jobs
were soon shown to be critical to the visit.
After a few meeting a date emerged which was the 15th
of July, so now we new the ‘target date’.
The Royal visitors were to spend the previous night
in the Royal train in the nearby sidings at the Colliery. This meant
transporting them to the main Colliery offices and installing steps from
the sidings to the main road. This involved the Colliery Joiners and
painters.
As the date got nearer all the testing of Mechanical
apparatus had to be carried out including the Winding gear, Ropes etc.
This was carried out by Area testing team, which is normally carried out
every 3 months by statute. Area winding staff would be on duty at the
Colliery at the time of the visit as back up to Colliery staff.
Staff had been
designated there positions for the visit and my position was to be
underground at the main engine house, which meant in effect I would not be
meeting the visitors, as you can imagine I was a little disappointed. The
day of the visit finally arrived and the party arrived on time at about
101 am in the Colliery yard (see visit of King George V in 1912 on photo
below.
he Queen & Colliery Manager
At the coal face
King George V visit to Silverwood
Colliery 1912
hey were then escorted underground by the Manager and his senior staff
including undermanager and Deputy Manager. The Rope hauled Paddy mail
transported the visitors to the Return gate to the S10’s Coal face and
another short ride to the coal was arranged by Diesel Locomotive.. After a
short while about 30 minutes the Royal visitors were safely escorted
back to the paddy mail
engine house to meet the engine driver and Deputy. The visitors
were then escorted out of the mine
They were then escorted underground by the Manager
and his senior staff including undermanager and Deputy Manager. The Rope
hauled Paddy mail transported the visitors to the Return gate to the S10’s
Coal face and another short ride to the coal was arranged by Diesel
Locomotive.. After a short while about 30 minutes the Royal visitors
were safely escorted back to the paddy mail
engine house to meet the engine driver and Deputy. The visitors
were then escorted out of the mine
Members of staff who were not underground were lined
up In the Colliery yard and introduced to the Royal party.
The visitors then left the Colliery premises and
returned to the Royal train were they could have a bath and return to
there normal duties.
After the Royal party had left a small buffet meal
had been arranged for Staff, the National Coal Board Chairman at that time
Mr. D, Ezra also attended the Buffet.
The manager then thanked every one concerned that the
visit had been successful
And that the Colliery and indeed the whole industry
would benefit from such a visit.
From my point of view it was one of the highlights
of my time at Silverwood and one that I will not forget
John Lindley BSc
Deputy Mechanical Engineer
Silverwood Colliery
|
