Monument record 15279 - Harecastle Colliery (Moss Coal Pit)

<1> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 110/2, 1839 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

The colliery is not depicted or recorded on the either the tithe map and award for Church Lawton township or the tithe map and award for the parish of Wolstanton, Staffordshire (see 2). However, the tramway which connected the collieries to the north-east to the canal wharves near the Harding Wood Junction, runs through this area (see CHER 15564).

<2> See map for surveyor, 1836-1845, Staffordshire Tithe Maps and Awards, D3534/1/141, 1839 (Maps and Plans). SCH9026.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1861-1886, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Staffordshire, SJ8355 (1877-1884) & SJ8455 (1877) (Maps and Plans). SCH8996.

Colliery named Moss Coal Pit located on the Cheshire - Staffordshire border. The shaft and the majority of the buildings are located in Staffordshire, as are the spoil heaps, which are located to the north-east. The Cheshire part of the colliery is occupied large buildings labelled coke ovens, boilers and an engine house. The colliery is served by numerous railway lines and tramways. The railway lines connect with the North Staffordshire Railway to the south-west. The lines continue as tramways to the north-east of the colliery. However, there is no distinction on the mapping between the depiction of a tramway or a railway line, so the precise organisation of the tramways and railway lines within the colliery cannot be determined. Further tramways or rail lines connect the colliery with the Union Foundry to the south.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1896-1898, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ8355 (1898-1899) & SJ8455 (1899) (Maps and Plans). SCH3848.

A shaft is depicted on the Cheshire side of the border. The Cheshire side is labelled as Moss Pit No.1, Moss Pit No.2 is to the east on the Staffordshire side of the border. Sizable spoil heaps are visible to the immediate west of the southern set of coke ovens. There is a weighing machine depicted in this area too.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1909-1912, Ordnance Survey Second Revision County Series (Epoch 3) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ8355 (1909) & SJ8455 (1909) (Maps and Plans). SCH4361.

Many of the buildings have been demolished and Moss Pit No.1 is labelled as Old Shaft (Coal). The coke ovens are almost the only buildings (shown on earlier maps) depicted in this area. The railways and tramways have been removed except for two sidings associated with the southern set of coke ovens.

<6> Northern Mine Research Society, Various, Northern Mine Research Society, 5442 & 5445 (Web Site). SCH8990.

Moss Coal Pit: 1880-1900.

<7> North Staffordshire Mining Research Group, Various, Collieries, Footrails and Seams in The North Staffordshire Coalfield From 1700 to 1947 (Web Site). SCH8993.

Moss Pits: Roughly one and a half miles north west of Maryhill colliery, connected by the same tramway to the Birchenwood site. 1866 to 1896 Bidder and Elliot. 1896 to 1904-5 Harecastle and Woodshutts Colliery and coke Co. Mined the Seven Foot (Banbury), Eight Foot and Bullhurst. Abandoned 1900 due to flooding. Closed about 1904/5. The mine reported a high number of surface workers who were probably employed at the coking ovens.

<8> Royal Air Force, 1944-1947, 1940s RAF Aerial Photographs from Operation Review, RAF/CPE/UK/1935 RP 3421 & FS 2419 17/01/1947 (Aerial Photograph). SCH8041.

Visible on this aerial photography are earthworks associated with the colliery, colliery railway and spoil heaps. No buildings are visible except for one tall building (visible as a shadow) which does not correspond with any buildings depicted on the earlier ordnance survey maps (see 4).

<9> Huntings Surveys Ltd, 1971-1973, 1971-1973 County Survey, Run 39 no.1028, 15/05/1973 (Aerial Photograph). SCH4881.

Visible on this aerial photography are earthworks associated with the colliery, colliery railway and spoil heaps. No buildings are visible except a tall building and a possible smaller building to the immediate north. Neither building corresponds to buildings depicted on the earlier ordnance survey maps (see 4).

<10> National Remote Sensing Centre Ltd, 1992-3, National Remote Sensing Centre County Survey (1992-1993), 177/92 no.97, 31/10/1992 (Aerial Photograph). SCH5297.

The colliery site has been restored and reclaimed.

<11> Historic England & Archaeological Research Services, 2015, Staffordshire National Mapping Programme and Lidar Mapping Project: Gnosall, Kidsgrove and Talke, 1593289 (Digital Archive). SCH9202.

A post medieval and twentieth century colliery and associated tramway are visible as earthworks and structures on air photographs centred at SJ 8389 5539. The colliery is named Moss Coal Pit and later Harecastle Colliery on historic Ordnance Survey mapping. The tramway extends through the colliery site and historic mapping indicates the tramway was connected to further elements of tramway (UID 1592670), connecting the local collieries to the North Staffordshire Railway and the Macclesfield Canal. The former path of the tramway is in places now marked by the path of the modern road. The colliery is disused by the 3rd edition Ordnance Survey map [see 5], whilst the tramway remains at least partially in use serving the twentieth century colliery Maryhill Mine. The extent of the site was mapped during the Staffordshire National Mapping Programme Project. The majority of the site is no longer extant on the latest 2010 vertical photography [see 12]. Elements may survive under vegetation [see 5, 8 & 12].

<12> Next Perspectives, 2010, Aerial Photography for Great Britain, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery (2010) (Aerial Photograph). SCH8173.