This year's Derbyshire social event is an organised underground tour at the National Coal Mining Museum at Caphouse Colliery (What3Words - prop.birthdays.sung) and for those who would prefer, a leisurely stroll around all the ‘surface’ mine history.
We currently have two tours booked:
1st underground trip at 12.30pm, 15 people maximum.
2nd underground trip at 12.45pm, 15 people maximum.
The tour starts with a journey 140m underground, and a talk to discover 180 years of history with one of the charismatic former miners. It’s about 14 degrees C underground so appropriate clothing and flat sensible shoes are required (similar to what you would wear when hiking). No electrical equipment, matches etc. are allowed underground and this also includes mobile phones! You will be checked!
Every tour ‘darn pit’ is led by an ex-miner with a ‘reyt’ broad accent and loads of experience under his somewhat heavy tool belt. He’ll unhand you of your ‘contraband’, and talk you through 180 years of mining, explaining why he has every right to tell you to ‘shut tha’ trap’ and when you are ‘done and dusted’ you can carry on exploring life above ground.
• Get kitted out with your hard hat and battery lamp then step into the ‘cage’ to descend 140m underground to discover the harsh realities of coal mining through the centuries.
• The tours are led by a captivating Mine Guide. Hear all about your guide’s working life and experiences in the coal mine.
• Discover the different ages of mining, from Victorian times when women and children worked underground alongside the men, find out about the role of pit ponies and how modern machinery changed coal mining.
Following on from the tour, you will be free to explore around the surface and discover more about the mine, lives, interests and lifestyles of the miners and walk through the nature trail.
This is a free event and families are welcome, however an age restriction into the mine applies and children must be 5 years in age and over. All persons must be able to walk unaided.
Please Note: Café area will be open but no food is currently available. There are food & drink vending machines in there and you are welcome to bring your own food to eat in the café.
There will be one or two food catering vans on site and again, the café can be used for seating. To book your place please call or email John Hattersley on: 07806 708 542 or john.hattersley@me.com