Newsletters
Newsletter No.29, was sent to members in December 2011.
Shortwood Chimneys
Shortwood and Brandy Bottom Chimneys 1979
For more details and another photo by Ken Brown from the 1970s see inside
Back Numbers
SGMRG newsletters are available only in paper format, recent issues being nice A5 size booklets. If you wish to order back numbers of the newsletter, then our Publications Officer has some copies. These are £3 each plus 50p postage. Some Issues may be currently out of stock, but if you are patient they can be reprinted.
You can find out what was in our past newsletters by consulting our Newsletter Index, which allows you to search for any keywords.
Issue No 28. August 2011
Serridge in 1791
Issue No 27. December 2010
Sealing it!
Issue No 26. September 2010
Unsung Heroes. Ever since we started work at Serridge in 2005 we have been helped by "Slim" Hendy and his JCB - seen here concentrating hard in his latest efforts at Serridge. "Slim" is a well known local character and manages to find time when not on his JCB to be the drummer in a local band. To find out more about what he is doing see p. 2.
Issue No 25. June 2010
As the newsletter goes to print, SGMRG is jointly hosting the National Association of Mining Heritage Organisations Annual Conference at Coalpit Heath. Full reports and photos in our next issue
Issue No 24. March 2010
Our last newsletter showed work in a dry drift mine entrance as we worked to restore the left hand wall and arch. It's been a wet winter: the whole entrance is now flooded - but the restored wall looks good and secure.
Issue No 23. November 2009
To find out what these local actors were doing at Oldwood, see inside. Also news of the National Conference of Mining Groups that is coming to Coalpit Heath 4-6 June 2010.
Issue No 22. August 2009
Former miners and their families at the launch of the Frog Lane at 60 Exhibition and Book on 2nd May, marking the 60th anniversary of the closure of the Frog lane Colliery at Coalpit Heath, hosted by SGMRG.
Issue No 21. March 2009
Surf Plate 13 - The Coalpit Heath Colliery Company Horse and Cart at Serridge Farm C1900s - Photo by Dorothy Hewitt - All photographs from the Hewitt collection published by courtesy of Anne Matson.
Issue No 20. December 2008
Frog Lane Colliers loading coal into Drams at the Coalface - Courtesy of Ann Matson.
Issue No 19. September 2008
Emergency Rescue Archaeology: This summer's work has been dominated by the emergency rescue archaeology at Yate No 2 following the shaft collapse at Easter - here Jerome Way and Andy Brander excavate an arched area - two of the large band of SGMRG members in the desperate rush to record as much as possible of the surface remains before the Coal Authority carry out work to cap the shaft.
Issue No 18. May 2008
Yate no 2 Shaft Collapse: How you can help at Yate no 2 - pit profile (Barrs Court), research and news.
Issue No 17. October 2007
Pit Profile (Shortwood), research on Serridge, news and events at Ram Hill, yet more new arrivals at Oldwood, Oldwood Open Day success, reviews and news.
Issue No 16. Summer 2007
New look at Oldwood, E Staples - local mine manager, spanish mines, Oral History Project, Website, plus all the regular stuff.
Issue No 15. Spring 2006
Whitehall Pit Profile, Frampton Iron Mines, Gloucester Coroners Records, an unusual postcard of Lower Conygre, Serridge Dig news, AGM report, Mining Landscape of Cornwall wins World Heritage Status plus all the regular stuff
Issue No 14. Winter 2005/2006
Easton Pit Profile, The Surveyor, A visit to the Coal Authority Offices Mansfield, Nibley Puzzles, William Llewellyn, Newbury Postcards.
Issue No.13 Autumn 2005
California Pit Profile, Cromhall Lime Kilns, Oldwood Open Day Bristol Coal Tramroads, Forest of Dean Postcards, Gasex Visit.
Issue No.12 Summer 2005
Golden Valley Pit Profile, Coalpit Heath Colliery railway, European Mines Culture Project; Gasex Visit and Photos Bishop Sutton Postcard.
Issue No.11 Spring 2005
Ram Hill Pit Profile, Kibbles, AGM Rambling around the Coalfield, John Mills, Handel Cossham, Norton Hill & Writhlington Postcards.
Issue No.10 Winter 2004/5
Brandy Bottom Pit Profile, John Mills Coalpit Heath Miner series starts, George Watkins in South Gloucestershire, Thornbury Exhibition, Farrington Gurney Colliery Postcard, Hanham.
Issue No.9 Autumn 2004
Hanham Pit Profile, Frog Lane Table Engine part two, Swan Mine visit, Felix Farley's Bristol Journal, Ludlows Postcard, Candle holder from Old Mills, A silver mine in the garden, NCB Flag.
Issue No.8 Summer 2004
Parkfield Pit Profile, Oldwood Open day, Frog Lane table Engine Part One, Bristol Mining School lectures, Fred Lewis, Parkfield Miner, Big Pit visit, Baddesley Track panels, Camerton Twist tin, FOD postcards.
Issue No.7 Spring 2004
Frog Lane Pit Profile, BRO Visit, Frog Lane Engine House demolition story and pictures, Mine drainage, part Two NCB Pit closures, year by year, Somerset Miners Association token.
Issue No.6 Winter 2003/4
Our own Trevor Thompson takes a detailed look at the development of steam power and its application to mine drainage. David Hardwick reports on the Tub restoration and there is more on thin seam working this time in nearby Kingswood.
Issue No.5 Autumn 2003
A look back at Kilmersdon 30 years on, Oldwood Open day, History of Rangeworthy Colliery, Forest Of Dean visit including Hopewell Colliery, In search of William Fairley, Mine Drainage Part One, Yate Exhibition.
Issue No.4 Summer 2003
Fieldwork reports at Brandy Bottom, Yate No.2 and Oldwood. Visit to Frampton Iron Mine. Tapwell Bridge Colliery, Mine Ventilation Part Two, Rowland Hill, Building a cog.
Issue No.3 Spring 2003
Issue No.2 November 2002 and
Issue No.1 August 2002
These were about the setting up of SGMRG and total 3 double sided sheets. If you would like a copy of both, please send a cheque for £1 to the Treasurer to cover postage, packing and printing.
