By the early 20th century mining had increased and saw
Burchells, a drift mine, and Greyfields mines started. Greyfield
Colliery became one of the best in the coalfield having multiple
shafts which included ones for ventilation and pumping, with a
large Cornish pump at the head. The shaft was listed as 900ft deep
and 10ft in diameter. Originally coal was sold from the pithead,
but in 1873 the railway was built from Radstock to Bristol and a
secondary line was put in running from Greyfield to Clutton railway
station. This went past Maynard Terrace, crossed the road by a
bridge at Greensbrook, and into the siding. Carts trickled down the
slight incline to Clutton siding from Greyfield and horses pulled
the empty ones back.As production increased a light locomotive
called ‘Daisy’ replaced the horses.
A drift mine nicknamed ‘The Cuckoo’ was started as
an off-shoot to Greyfield towards Clutton Hill. The miners said
this would not produce any good coal, hence the name, but the
‘experts’ of the time thought otherwise. The miners,
who worked and knew the seams were proved correct and the mine soon
closed. Today the house situated over the mine shaft is called
‘Cuckoo Drift’.
In 1906 there was a serious flood in Greyfield Colliery and 200
men were working in the lower levels. Great bravery resulted in no
human life being lost, but the pit ponies could not be saved. The
mine was closed and many families suffered great hardship. The mine
re-opened after the flood waters had been pumped out, but the
damage caused was never overcome, and the mine finally closed in
1911. The Greyfield Colliery Company was popular and considered to
be a good employer with their miner’s interests at heart.
From the cache location, you can see the wheal house and the
archways where the cables emerged and ran to the pit head
wheal.
Greyfield Colliery
Greyfield Colliery
1920's Map showing the length of the siding, approx 10 years
after the mine closed
Parking is easily available on the nearby streets