John Sheldon's photos with the keyword: Mining history

Chronicle Of Vital Individual Distancing, day 17. Until 1935 there were rail tracks running along this path. The rails that can be seen supporting the bank are however not the original ones – they are old tram tracks. Coal was transported on this incline between the Macclesfield Canal and Poynton in Cheshire. This was part of the village’s 150 year involvement in the UK coal industry. Today it is a footpath and a much valued local amenity.

Chronicle Of Vital Individual Distancing, day 8. An area that until 1935 was part of the Vernon Pits in Poynton, Cheshire, part of the area’s 150 year history as a coal-mining settlement. Now it is pasture land for sheep. And the air is good to breath.

Chronicle Of Vital Individual Distancing, day 8. Standing hard and gritty in this soft Cheshire landscape of sheep pasture and trees is the little brick building that was used for storing gunpowder when this area was part of the Vernon Pits – part of Poynton’s 150 year history as a coal-mining settlement. (“In t’olden days this were all mines…”) Mining here ended in 1935 (so no, neither Margaret Thatcher nor Arthur Scargill can be blamed) following a period of decreasing yields and high drainage costs.