Content can be downloaded for non-commercial purposes, such as for personal use or in educational resources.
For commercial purposes please contact the copyright holder directly.
Read more about the The Creative Archive Licence.

Description

Notching timber at Baldwin's Level, Pontypool c.1900.
You are now standing inBig Pit's timber stockyard. Making sure the roof is well supportedhas always been a satey concern for miners. Before modern steel arches were used, pit props were cut from timber using the 'Welsh notching' method as seen in the picture.
Miners in the past described a distinctive creaking if wooden props began to move: early warning of a roof fall.

Do you have information to add to this item? Please leave a comment

Comments (0)

You must be logged in to leave a comment