Timsbury community website

Facilities, groups, parish council and business information for the village of Timsbury, near Bath

Coal Mining

RETURN TO HISTORY MAIN MENU

Scroll through the photographs of Upper and Lower Conygre Pits. There were many other smaller and earlier pits.

Lower Conygre Pit. Picture of the pithead where the trucks have been loaded into the cage ready to be lowered for filling.
Lower Conygre Pit. This shows the brick chimney which replaced the previous stone one.
Lower Conygre Pit
Lower Conygre Pit
Lower Conygre Pit
This is an early picture showing full trucks being lowered down the incline at Lower Conygre Pit. The incline initially went to the Somersetshire Coal Canal then, later, to the railway. Notice the chain between the tracks which used to do this.
Lower Conygre Pit
Lower Conygre Pit
The chimney of Lower Conygre Pit in the background.
Lower Conygre Pit. The chimney being demolished probably in 1910.
The Guss and Crook. Coal in the Somerset Coalfield was usually hand-hewn and removed from the coal face by carting boys. The Guss comprised of a rope girdle worn around the waist, from which a chain was suspended; the crook was a hook, placed in the chain, passed between the legs and attached to a putt (tub of coal). Carting boys were used in similar fashion to a pony. This was in use underground for more than 350 years.
Coalpit Crossroads in the 1920s. The crenellated chimney of Upper Conygre Colliery can be seen. It was designed that way to make it acceptable to the inhabitants of Timsbury House. The tres on the right of Upper Conygre Colliery were also grown to provide a screen for Timsbury House.
Coalpit Crossroads in the 1920s. The crenellated chimney of Upper Conygre Colliery can be seen. It was designed that way to make it acceptable to the inhabitants of Timsbury House. The trees on the right of Upper Conygre Colliery were also grown to provide a screen for Timsbury House.
Upper Conygre Pit. The first shaft was sunk in 1791. It was at this pit that the largest lump of coal was raised – 25 cwt.
Upper Conygre Pit
Upper Conygre Pit
Upper Conygre Pit
Timsbury coal wagons at Upper Conygre Pit
Timsbury Coal Wagons
Timsbury coal wagons in Bath
This photograph of Timsbury coal trucks was taken in 1910 outside the King’s Arms on the Marksbury-Corston road to Bath. This was the usual lunchtime stop for the crew. The return journey took two days, the crew having to sleep by with the vehicle. When the weather conditions were wet or slippery the journey took an extra day, one man having to put blocks under the wheels to stop slipping when travelling uphill. Shown in the photograph (left to right) are Jack Heywood (general hand), George Packham and George Wally (drivers). Their wages were 19s 6d for a six day week.
Timsbury Colliery Rescue Brigade

RETURN TO HISTORY MAIN MENU