Monday 7 May 2012

Times Past


I can't believe that it was December of last year that I last posted. My new job has certainly impacted on my blogging time as well as my photography. However I managed a couple of hours with my camera in my hand so I visited a new area and snapped away. The image above is of a disused colliery in Mansfield.   Being from a family of miners from Northumberland, of which most are now not with us sadly. I was drawn to the site and felt HDR would be the best way to capture this now rather tired and sad looking building. Mining used to be one of the biggest industries in the Uk but alas due to political decisions of the past most of our coal is now imported, even though there are still large seams untapped. Mining was not just about bringing coal from the Earth. It created communities and special strong minded people who looked after each other when times were hard. That community spirit was born out of compassion. Survival was dependant upon each other both below and above ground. Growing up in a mining town I remember vividly how everyone new each other, you could go to town and would always meet people you knew and a five minute trip to the shops would take hours. Doors were never locked and neighbours would just knock and walk in shouting "It's only me." My uncle was a Winderman, and my memory of him was the day he brought me a rope to have a swing in my garden. It was so thick that even with my two small hand i could not encircle the rope. I had the strongest swing in the country!!
So I would like to dedicate this image to everyone who has worked in Mining both above and below ground. Will we ever return to a time of community, compassion and friendship or will doors remain locked and are hearts closed like the collieries that once made my town home town such a happy place to live.

7 comments:

ju-north said...

Great photo and thoughts on our heritage. Keith's dad went into the mine at 14 to be a pony handler - hard times.

Steve Gravano said...

Beautiful rendering of the old mine and a fitting tribute. Sadly the days of unlocked doors have been replaced with the internet and a world of people that would prefer to sit infront of a computer screen instead of meeting neighbors.

MadSnapper said...

the HDR is perfect for this, it is a beautiful rendering of this old building that is a piece of history. i lived in a coal mining town from age 12 to 15, so am familiar. that was back in 1956 and the world here was like yours. in the 60's things started to change and in the 80's really changed, and now i lock my doors even when i am home.

MadSnapper said...

forgot to say welcome back, I missed you.

Montanagirl said...

That's a really good photo. Nice job. I agree, this society spends way too much time in front of a computer instead of getting out! I'd go birding everyday of the week but for weather and gas prices!

TexWisGirl said...

it's a great shot! and nice to see you pop up in my reader today!

Elaine said...

Wonderful photo! HDR is perfect for the subject and the gray threatening clouds behind set the mood and help tell the story. Your words are thought provoking and tell of a past that is not likely to come back. The more we become a global community it seems the less we connect with those right next door. Nice work and welcome back!