silverwoodclosure

Painting is by Mr. Dabs senior ex miner and Artist who is on the photo on the right, taken at the time of the demolition work overlooking Silverwood.

The painting is in fact a recording of an historic event in the local history. There is no doubt the mine devastated its once natural surroundings, including what was known as Dingle Dell which disappeared under the Tip, but that my friends, is as they say " The price of progress". Was it worth it? Well when you look at the many side products from coal including medicines that have benefited mankind you would have to think hard before coming to a conclusion, and once the area that was known as Silverwood Pit is reclaimed it will be hard for future generations to imagine the Silverwood scenario that appeared and then disappeared over a one hundred year period. So it is a fine thing for the future generations that people like Jonathan Dabbs and his father cared enough to produce the painting and photo's of this area. For me they are an historical Treasure.

John Doxey

THE LAST COAL TO LEAVE SILVERWOOD

The poem below was sent in and his credited to Stan R. I would like to know the full name of the poet, so if you know the poet and where I can contact him I would appreciate it ,

John

THE ONCE MIGHTY STEELWORKS STAND EMPTY AND STILL.

NO MORE RED HOT METAL FLOWS DOWN TO THE MILL.

BUT WHY ARE THESE STEEL PLANTS SO EMPTY AND BARE?

THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE," MacGREGOR WAS THERE.

NOW HES MOVED ON, AS THE SLAUGHTERMAN WILL.

WHEN NOTHING IS LEFT THER FOR THEM TO KILL.

NOW HES FOUND NEW GROUND AND IS PLANNING HIS HITS.

SO WATCH OUT YOU MINERS HE,S GOT HIS EYES ON YOUR PITS.

HE WILL JOYFULLY CUT WITH HIS SLAUGHTERMANS KNIFE.

WITH NO SECOND THOUGHT FOR YOU OR YOUR WIFE.

OR FOR THE HARDSHIP-THE ANGUISH-THE PAIN.

HE BRINGS AS HIS KNIFE CUTS AGAIN AND AGAIN.

THIS PIT TODAY, ANOTHER ONE TOMORROW.

FORGETTING THE MEN-THEIR FAMILY ,THEIR SORROW.

TO HIM YOU ARE SOMETHING FROM OUT OF A HOLE

SO YOU HAD BETTER GET USED TO LIFE ON THE DOLE.

BUT YOU HAVE STOOD UP AND STARTED TO FIGHT.

TO HIM THIS IS STRANGE-TO HIM ITS NOT RIGHT

YOU SHOULD'NT OPPOSE HIS CUTS AND HIS CHOPS

SO HE STIFLES YOUR MOVEMENTS WITH HUNDREDS OF COPS .

TO BEAT, I BEG OF YOU MINERS-UNITE,

BECAUSE IF YOUR DIVIDED, YOU WILL LOSE THIS FIGHT.

THEN AS WITH THE STEELWORKS, HE WILL SAY WITH PRIDE,

THE OPERATION WAS BRILLIANT, BUT THE POOR PATIENT DIED.

UNITE YOU MINERS-THINK! -YOUR FUTURES NOT BAD.

OR YOUR SON MAY ASK "WHERE _DID_ YOU WORK DAD?

THEN SHOW HIM THE OLD PIT WITH IT'S DERELICT GEAR,

AND JUST SIMPLY TELL HIM   "MacGREGOR WAS HERE".

STAN R.

Recently [ 2004 ] Peter Lawery took his daughter Hannah to The National Mining Museum at Wakefield, with the thought it was time she saw, how her Forefathers worked, Hannah was inspired to write this

The Loss of the Pits
Both my Grandfathers worked at Silverwood Colliery. They are no longer alive. I thought this would be a suitable memorial in their memory
They were there,
In rain or shine,
Wearing helmets,
Orange suits,
And heavy boots.

Everyday the same,
Going up and down the pit,
In a very dirty shaft,
It was noisy you couldn't hear yourself think.

But now it's gone,
Quiet and still,
But who will remember,
The loss of the pits.

Hannah Lawery 2004

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