| Code | GB/187/N0012 |
| Dates | 1895-1955 |
| Person Name | Griff Clara Colliery; 1895-1955 |
| Corporate Name | Griff Clara Colliery |
| NonPreferredTerm | Griff Colliery Co.; Griff Colliery Co. Ltd.; National Coal Board |
| DatesAndPlaces | Nuneaton |
| Activity | Coal mining |
| Nationality | The Griff Colliery Company began sinking operations for two new shafts in 1891. The shafts were known as Clara and Marion, named after the wives of Andrew Knowles and Emerson Bainbridge, who were both directors of the company. By the time the colliery began production in 1895, electric lighting had been installed on the surface.
In 1916 a fire took hold at the base of a cross measures drift. Although this roadway had been fully arched with bricks, the fire had begun in a cavity behind the brickwork. The whitedamp produced by this fire killed several canaries, and the men had to be withdrawn. The fire was extinguished by pumping liquid cement into the cavity. This was the first known use of this method of combatting a fire, and it became a common firefighting technique throughout the British coalfields.
From 1926, the colliery was starved of investment. By the time the coal industry was nationalised in 1947, the colliery had become old fashioned and rundown. The nation was suffering from a fuel shortage, and coal was sought at any cost. However, by the mid-1950s productivity throughout the industry had increased while the national demand for coal was falling rapidly, so collieries were suddenly expected to make a profit to ensure their survival. Collieries deemed to be unprofitable stopped extracting coal and a series of pit closures occurred. In 1955, production stopped at Griff Clara Colliery and the mineworkers were transferred to other pits.
The pumping operations at Griff Clara had helped to keep Griff No. 4 Colliery dry, so despite no longer being a productive pit, Griff Clara remained in use as a pumping station. All the underground districts were sealed off, except for the incline and the two large pumps. After Griff No. 4 Colliery closed in 1960, pumping continued at Griff Clara due to the possible effect it could have on Newdigate Colliery if pumping were to cease. In 1962, float switches were installed, and the underground pumps switched off. The shafts were filled in and certified as abandoned on 20 July 1962. |
| Source | Durham Mining Museum. (n.d.) 'Griff Clara Colliery' [online] Available at: http://www.dmm.org.uk/colliery/g245.htm [Accessed 11 March 2021].
Fretwell, L. (2005) 'Griff Clara Colliery', The Warwickshire Coalfield, Vol. 3, pp. 122-126.
Northern Mine Research Society. (n.d.) 'Warwickshire Coalfield'. [online] Available at: https://www.nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/coal-mining-in-the-british-isles/warwickshire/ [Accessed 30 March 2020]. |
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