Timeline

1871

Stanton Iron & Coal acquired the mineral rights

1872/74

Both 14ft. 6in (4.4m) diameter shafts sunk to a depth of 520 yards (475m), 80 yards (73m) apart

1875

Coal first raised

The first recorded fatal accident occurred, 2 Sinkers killed by a fall 

Benjamin Dixley,  & Thomas,Brindley, 

1877

Arrival of the Midland Railway

1880

Experiments with incandescent lamps underground

The colliery produced 100,000 tons of coal 

1894

Men underground 774 above ground 134

1888

1752 Shares issued in Stanton Ironworks Company Limited

1890

The colliery produced 200,000 tons of coal

1897

Arrival of the Great Northern Railway

1900

A more powerful engine of unknown make installed for the South pit wooden south headstock replaced

Colliery produces 250,000 tons of coal

1904

North winder replaced by a Lilleshall engine

1914

Output 731,062 tons (highest ever achieved)

1919 - 21

South shaft increased to 903 yards (826m)

1922

Markham winder installed along with new engine house and 9 new boilers

1925

Men underground 2,048 above ground 323

1934

Pit Head baths opened

1937

Men underground 1,350 above ground 241

1947

Pits nationalised. The National Coal Board

Output 450,000 tons

Men underground 920 above ground 256

1949-56

Pit top and bottom reorganised at a cost of £900,000 with only the two winding engines using steam

1957

Output 612,397 Tons (highest NCB achieved)

1966

New brakes fitted to the Lilleshall winder by Markham becoming the standard for the National Coal Board

1976/7

West chimney removed and both headgear legs cased in cement due to corrosion

1979

Coal transported underground to Shirebrook. Shafts at Pleasley used for man riding, supplies and ventilation

1983

Pit closed except for South shaft which was used for downcast air for Shirebrook Colliery 4 miles away

1985

North shaft filled along with the demolition of many of the buildings

1986

October, emergency listing Grade 2 of the remaining buildings. Roof had been taken off North winder and two thirds removed from South winder house

Last recorded death at Pleasley Pit - Edward Alexander Thorpe falls to his death in the South Shaft

1992

South shaft filled.

1993

October, site officially abandoned

1994

November, both shafts capped

1995

Preservation group formed, "Friends of Pleasley Pit"

1996

Site scheduled as an Ancient Monument

1997

Renovation of the site begins

2010

Restoration Complete

2011

Historic England Angel Award achieved for 

'Best Rescue of an Historic Industrial Building'

2022

New Visitor Centre opens after Covid restrictions ending

2023

Celebration of 150 Anniversary