Hemingfield Colliery - FoHC

Reflections on a busy month, and a small act of remembrance for a life lost at the pit in March, a hundred years ago.

Remembering James Penty.

Remembrance in March 2026 The Friends had a busy few weeks in March 2026, both on and off site. Looking forwards and also looking back – 100 years ago in March.

The Friends were pleased to join BBC Sheffield at Elsecar Heritage Centre to talk about local history and mining heritage in and around Elsecar and the development of industry and life on Earl Fitzwilliam's estate at Wentworth Woodhouse.

Volunteer Chris talked about the development of mining and what makes Elsecar special, together with the remarkable tale of Hemingfield Colliery (Low Elsecar Colliery) from coal-working in the 1840s to be becoming a pumping station supporting other local pits from 1920, and surviving the closure of Elsecar Main in 1983, the Strike of 84-5 and more.

The Friends have been taking care of the site since 2014 and welcome support and interest, to power us into the future.

https://www.hemingfieldcolliery.org

An update for February, and a walk into the past down at Tingle Bridge:

Down (y)our way: Tingle Bridge Valentines Volunteers On Saturday 14th February, our volunteers returned to site – after the longest, wettest, dullest January that anyone can remember; the country being lashed by Storms Gor…

A winter warming glance over the shoulder for 2025 and a few thoughts on 2026...

Wrapping up 2025; looking forward in 2026 Wow. 2025 rattled by at a fair old lick, and already the new year of 2026 is upon us. Back on site, January 2026 After a winter pause for the Christmas break, we are planning for the year ahead, bu…

Please consider filling in the survey form to help steer the future plans for Elsecar Heritage Centre

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=7IUhfS2FDkeZAhfJOGIVjyVV0wl8XnpOr5GIYeprT3RUMzBMMUdWQkM3WVpLTVo3VVRaUVVMMEhHRSQlQCN0PWcu&fbclid=IwdGRjcAPke9hjbGNrA-R71WV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHlEUEJ9kq3emIMr8pnSLQR5UcX7E7mKHsp7ERHY60DrtmyMSZvxEyMkntwmp_aem_6UwtSNsHKzifXR_sYo3yUg&route=shorturl

Have your say on the future of Elsecar Heritage Centre. We are creating a long-term plan for Elsecar and would like your ideas! Share your views on our survey by Sunday 1 March 2026. The link in the comments section.

Remembering the Oaks Disaster from 1866

Remembering the Oaks The 12th December is a dark day in history for Barnsley. The catastrophic loss of life which occurred when there were a series of underground explosions at the Oaks Colliery, near Hoyle Mill. View …

150 years ago - On 6th December 1875 - we remember the Swaithe Main Colliery disaster which claimed 143 lives.

Swaithe Main Disaster 6th December 1875 150 years ago on Monday 6th December 1875, a terrible explosion ripped through the underground workings 230 yards beneath the surface at Swaithe Main Colliery, near Worsbrough, near Barnsley. A sec…

Wonderful to see people on site sharing in our local heritage.

Thanks to our own volunteers for enabling the visit!

How about a slightly longer read for these long and dark autumn nights?

Our latest post explores the life of John Hartop of Elsecar.

Who? You might ask...
Let's try and put a face to the name!

Facing the Past – John Hartop Putting a name to a face is one thing, but what about a face to a name? John Hartop Place sign at Elsecar Heritage Centre John Hartop is a name few might instantly recognise, and yet, from 1857 to …

Time for a quick rundown of our Summer activities through to September's Heritage Open Days. Huge thanks to our volunteers and supporters!

Busy busy bees – Summer 2025 This post follows the Friends and volunteers on their activities, and new adventures from July through to September 2025. It has been a busy time, with our regular volunteers attending and assistin…

A lovely bright sunny day to wrap up Heritage Open Days.

We were delighted to welcome visitors from near and far to Hemingfield, and also down to RSPB Old Moor.

After closing up, we joined other groups including Elsecar Heritage Centre, down at Old Moor and celebrated the end of 2 weeks of heritage activies.

Huge thanks to Alvin and Spike at Old Moor for hosting everyone in a very successful festival.

And thanks too to Hemingfield's regular volunteers for supporting our open days, tours, exhibitions and displays.