Chatterley Whitfield Heritage Centre

It has not been possible to go underground at Chatterley Whitfield for many years because the passages are flooded. More recently, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, as landowner, has imposed severe restrictions on visiting Whitfield because of concerns over safety. Some buildings are in a dangerous condition and almost all buildings are closed for the foreseeable future because there may be asbestos in them. Currently, the only way for members of the public to visit the site is on the annual Heritage Open Day in September. Sometimes, special visits for school groups can be arranged, but these must be arranged several months in advance. Some of the land around the perimeter of Chatterley Whitfield, however, is open to the public, and you can get an excellent view of the site from the top of the nearby tip. You can book your place on the 2013 Heritage Open day after the 1st August 2013 by visiting this link page :  Heritage Open Day 2013

Our new website, which is far from finished is now online.  I say far from finished as I am finding that as people get to know about us, I seem to get the reoccurring comment; 'I have found this, can you use it ?'.  In otherwords more photos, video, audio, documents, memories.....ALL WELCOME. So the site will and will continue to be Work in Progress... Check it out at www.chatterleywhitfieldfriends.org.uk

ALDERMAN JAMES EVANS J.P. LORD MAYOR - CITY OF STOKE ON TRENT 1966-1967 Born in Burslem in 1904, second of eight children - Son and grandson of miners. Left school at 13.   Entered Coal mining industry.   Went underground at 14 years of age.   Worked at every job from: Pony Driver, Door Trapper, Haulage Hand, Coal Face and Charge Hand official. At age of 18 became interested in Trade Union activities and realised the need to improve my education.   Attended Wedgwood Institute, Burslem, studying English and Mathematics.   Gained 2 first class certificates in each subject.   At same time joined the political wing of the Trade Union Movement and became active in the Labour Movement. At age of 21 was elected as collector and canvesser for my trade union.   Appointed to Branch Committee at 22 years of age and over next 21 years filled every office in the Sneyd Branch of the N.U.M. (Chairman, Secretary and Delegate. For 12 years was member of the North Staffs Miners

Friends of Chatterley Whitfield chatterleywhitfieldfriends@gma il.com Newsletter April 2013. Chairman Don Munro 01782 536566 e-mail:jean.munro@virgin.net Vice Chairman Jim McPhillips 01782 637963 Secretary Alex Cope 01332 862710 e-mail: chatterleywhitfieldfriends@gma il.com Treasurer Geoff Oakes 01782 533576 e-mail:geoff_oakes2000@yahoo.co.uk Welcome to a very delayed Winter/Spring Newsletter for which I apologise. As you can see from the above at our AGM in November there were a number of changes to the committee. After many years Jim asked for personal reasons if he could step down as Chair and Don superbly stepped up and was voted in as our new Chair. For almost the same reasons Mick stepped down as secretary and Alex stepped up and took over as secretary. Geoff remains as our Treasurer. I am sure we would all want to thank Jim and Mick for their amazing help in keeping the Friends together and in help making the Annual “Heritage Open Day”

Belts, Bells and the Bullhurst by Barbara Harding It was to be the ultimate experience for my two friends and I, when in 1953 we went on an underground visit to the Bullhurst seam in Chatterley Whitfield colliery. At that time I was one of only three girls working in the area laboratory based at the pit. When the visit was first mentioned, we were all very excited, if a little apprehensive. However, Gladys Walker, Joyce Dawson, and I were very keen to experience what it was like to work underground. We were told to bring in some old clothes. I had a boiler suit and a pair of strong but comfortable shoes. We were to go underground after work on Friday evening. My boss Mr Walter Robertson, the Area Chief Scientist, would accompany us. We all felt thrilled by this wonderful opportunity to see pitmen and pit work at first hand. The visit started when I was given a black pit helmet that had to be adjusted to stop i

I am always searching the internet, looking for articles and I came across this link to the Chatterley Whitfield News, issue 1, Autumn 1986 Chatterley-Whitfield-News Do you have an other articles or memories you can share ? Please get in touch In the meantime a bit of light reading..... www.aditnow.co.uk - Chatterley-Whitfield-Coal-Mine - History Reading