WEEK 42

Although mining had been taking place in the area for hundreds of years, it was not until the 19th century that it really took off. Small mines were established at Warren Vale and Swinton Common but mining in the area became a massive concern with the opening of Manvers Main Colliery in 1870 and Wath Main in 1875. These two coal mines resulted in a population explosion in Swinton and provided employment for thousands of men for over one hundred years until their demise in the 1980s.

The Don Pottery was founded at the very end of the 18th Century by the Green family of Leeds. In 1834, Samuel Barker purchased the business. The pottery ceased operating in 1893.

Waterloo Kiln, Swinton

For almost one hundred years, Swinton Pottery was one of the most important businesses of Swinton. Swinton Pottery was operational between 1745 and 1842.

It was originally founded by Edward Butler. From 1787 it was operated by a company called, Greens, Bingley & Company. In 1806, the firm became Brameld & Company – John and William Brameld previously being partners in Greens, Bingley & Company.

It was during the Brameld era that the company took on the name of the Rockingham Pottery and its products were sold all around the world.

The Waterloo kiln is the only remaining kiln of the three originally built.

Warren Vale Colliery, between Swinton and Rawmarsh, owned by the Warren Vale (High Hazel) Coal Company was closed on Saturday 21st March 1943, the reason given was for the “efficient prosecution of the war.” The colliery employed 180 men. The bulk of the men were to be transferred to Manvers Main and Kilnhurst collieries. Men too old to find work in the coal industry would be absorbed into other work. The drawing of coal from the colliery only started in 1937 and a pit-head canteen was installed a year or two before closure at a cost of £2,000. Dr. H. S. Houldsworth, Regional Controller for the North Eastern Region, Ministry of Fuel and Power said “This concentration of manpower is required in order to get the coal we shall require for next winter. The scheme will probably be widespread and not confined to Yorkshire.”