During the 1984 strike the shaft at Hem Heath still needed inspecting every 24hrs. For the record the Cage at Hem Heath weighted in at 100 tons and was a Tower mounted Friction (Koepe) winder. 4 ropes with a single cage and counter weight on solid guides a 24 ft diameter total depth 1062 meters. Managers in the form of The Mechanical Engineer, and one of my fellow Underground Managers stood on top of the cage whilst the Electrical Engineer acted as winding man in the tower, as they descended, checking for loose material. My Undermanger friend related to me the following. He ensured that he would not be falling off the edge of the cage by winding the safety rope around the chains so there was no slack. At some point during the descent he Mechanical Engineer saw something that needed closer attention.He signaled to the Electrical Engineer to stop the cage. There then followed a silence that lasted about 30 second as the Cage was stopped. THE Electrical Engineer inquired into,that silence. The reply from my friend was. that.they were ok, and had seen what the wanted about 10 times, as the cage all 100 ton was dancing like some heavy bungee jumper.

Shaft Blacksmith at Hawthorn shaft, loved the job, especially the 6 hour shifts, hard dangerous work, but got home after a shift feeling satisfied that i'd done a decent days productive work. Not much of that about now. The mines had had their day when I left in 1988, wouldn't have missed it and have great memories, but wouldn't want to do it again.

More videos like this please!

Great video!

The thought of going down that shaft terrifies me.

I spent some time on top of a cage in my time working in shafts such a pity there r know mines left open.would love to have a visit back down one again

This old 5th generation coal miner is smiling 😊