Annesley Colliery was opened in the mid 19th Century and, with Maggie Thatcher's breaking of the coal miners and privatisation, the colliery eventually closed in the mid 90's. The pit has long been filled, one headstock has completely gone and the site has suffered from thieves and vandals but it was a good day when several of us met up early one morning to be shown round the site by Dweeb, someone who knew so much history about the place. Despite very little security measures and being closed ofr so long, there was a hell of a lot left lying around. Paperwork and equipment gave us a glimpse of what it must of been like and Dweeb's knowlegde brought it all to life. Climbing the headstock was terrifying. The ladder is little more than metal plates welded to the frame and the wind trying to blow me off didn't help but it was a good view and well worth it. Back down on the ground, or below should I say, the basement areas, or for that matter anything that went underground was either blocked or flooded. The smell down the ventilation shaft was bloody horrible. Overall, a bloody good explore. Back to the Industrial Page.