Dream and the ashes of a former Sutton Manor Colliery miner - there are a number on the woodlands site

But what about the site of the former Clock Face Colliery, just a hop, skip and a jump away? Well the Country Park Woodland is quite spectacular, and has been especially impressive this Spring. The pond is popular with anglers and all credit to St.Helens Council and its Rangers plus the Clock Face Angling Club. However, what is there to remind folk of its seven decades as a pit?

The Clock Face Colliery Lamproom which was part of the baths complex

With the passage of time, few recall the walkway that used to connect the main colliery site to a complex of buildings on the other side of Gorsey Lane. These housed the colliery lamp room, baths, canteen, offices and gardens and they were where every shift began and ended. You might be surprised to learn that the buildings still exist and the tower in the middle of the complex, that hosted water tanks for the showers, is a local landmark.

Part of the complex of buildings that were connected to the colliery via a walkway

The baths complex was opened in 1939 by the Earl of Crawford and the local press said they were a "boon to the housewife". Not only did they have a clean husband returning home after their shift, but no longer had the tedious task of boiling hot water for the tin bath. However, they weren't popular with bus conductors, who could no longer tell who was a dirty miner and able to claim a discounted fare!

Inside the former baths / lamproom complex - photographed in May 2011

However, these buildings are now in a shocking state exacerbated by a fire that took place in January. Two companies, Sherdley Remec and Breamhurst Dytran, had occupied the site for many years, but both have now departed. As you can see from these photographs and from this Photoalbum here, what exists now is a disgrace to the memory of the pitmen who were employed there. It's worth remembering that over thirty lost their lives at Clock Face Colliery and very many more were injured.

It is very easy to say "something should be done" but much harder to actually do it and find the finance to pay for it. But if the will is there, anything is possible. This has been amply demonstrated by the former pitmen at Sutton Manor with Dream, supported by St.Helens Council and its partner agencies. It has been suggested that a mining heritage centre should be established. Is it just wishful thinking or could these buildings be used for this?

Inside the former baths / lamproom complex - photographed in May 2011

In a two page forward to Geoff Simm and Ian Winstanley’s ‘Mining Memories’, Marie Rimmer in her previous stint as Leader of St.Helens Council commented on:

  …the magnificent history of our mining industry, and the people who have laboured over the centuries…one of the strongest historical and social links which bind the people of St. Helens together must be our mining heritage.