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Miner's contract to work for ten weeks at the Nelson Pit, Poynton, dated April 13th 1855. It is signed by the colliery agent, Thomas Ashworth, John Hadwen the colliery manager, and Thomas Mattocks the undermanager. Enoch Fielding or Worth was unable to write his own name and consequently made his mark which was, by the look of the handwriting, then noted in red by Thomas Mattocks. The rest of the document appears to have been completed by Hadwen.

Ashworth stood firm against a number of strikes during his stewardship from 1834 to 1857 and was strongly against trade unionism. In 1857 he stated his position in his final annual colliery report to Lord Vernon:

'The Pitmen are engaged under written contract, for various periods of 6 months and upwards at uniform prices & at various dates, so that it would be impossible for them to strike or turn out without rendring themselves liable to imprisonment for breach of contract - they are consequently quiet and much more easily controlled.'

Document courtesy of David Arnold.

Late afternoon at Xifeng on the Lishu system at Jixi as SY 0951 is prepared for its next duty. The wooden hoppers on the left were shortly to be taken up to Qikeng Colliery for loading.

Coal mining in Adlington was on a smaller scale than Poynton due to there being fewer seams available. The industry flourished during the nineteenth century and in the 1830s after the opening of the Macclesfield canal there was a surge in development of workings to the east of the present marina. This shaft may be that of the Pilot Pit which in 1838 was worked with a 5hp steam engine in a wooden engine house. There was also a horse gin on site.

Draw holes on the left hand Via Gellia limekiln.

Draw holes on the right hand Via Gellia limekiln.