Markham Colliery

 Markham Colliery, 1911-1986.

 Work on the shafts at Markham was started in 1911. By 1912 the colliery was in full production but this coincided with a general strike. At that time the average wage of a miner employed in Welsh coalfield was 5 shillings. The effect of the strike was that in 1914 minimum wage laws were introduced.

Situated between Blackwood and Tredegar in the Sirhowy Valley coal was first produced at this colliery in 1913.

The two shafts (North and South) were sunk to the Big Vein level at 598 yards by the Markham Steam Coal Company a subsidiary of Tredegar Iron and Coal Company.

It was named after Sir Arthur Markham son of a director of T.I.C.C.

During the sinking in 1912 an explosion occurred in one of the shafts killing 6 men.

A heading was driven linking it to Oakdale Colliery during World War 2 giving men in either colliery an escape route in case of bombing. This practice took place in many collieries linking them with their neighbouring pits for the same reason.

In 1945 there were 1421 men employed.

From 1979 the coal produced at Markham reached the surface via Oakdale Colliery.

Markham Colliery ceased production and was closed in 1986.

 

Markham Colliery sometime in the 1950's

 

Markham Colliery in the early 1970's

 

Markham Colliery in 1976

 

Markham Colliery Now

 

Markham Colliery Stamps