TV Coverage

January 2024

Heat from The Mines

Old flooded mines could be used to heat thousands of homes in the West. A £1.6m study to see if heat pumps could harness water in old pits.

Past Event

November 2023

Somerset & Dorset Railway

On 15th November 2023, the Somerset District Miners’ Welfare Trust organised a special visit to the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway at Midsomer Norton.

News from The Group

September 2023

Last Colliery Manager

In a heartwarming ceremony celebrating Somerset’s rich mining heritage, a 3ft metal miner was presented to Mary Allinson, the daughter of Ralph Macdonald.

TV Coverage

June 2023

BBC News Metal Miners

On 4th June, Andy Howard from BBC News visited to speak with the Somerset District Miners Welfare Trust about the metal miners in Somerset.

News from The Group

May 2022

The First Metal Miner

In May 2022, Michael Eavis visited the Camerton Community Hall to unveil the first prototype metal miner in collaboration with the Miners Welfare Trust.

News from The Group

January 2022

A Lighter Moment

Here’s Somerset Miners Welfare Trust President Michael Eavis and Chairman Bryn Hawkins enjoying a lighter moment at a reunion.

Annual Reunion

September 2021

The 2021 Miners Reunion

The 2021 reunion was a special occasion, allowing attendees to reconnect in a place that holds deep significance for the mining community at the Radstock Museum.

News from The Group

February 2019

Meeting Royalty

Bryn Hawkins, alongside the former chairman of the Somerset Miners Welfare Trust, the late Francis Hillier, had the honour of meeting royalty.

TV Coverage

October 2016

BBC News on the Incline

Fifty years after the Somerset & Dorset closed, BBC cameras joined Bryn Hawkins at the old colliery incline where unmanned coal wagons ran on a cable.

In the Newspaper

August 2016

Sir Michael Eavis & Mining

A feature from What’s On Somerset exploring how Sir Michael Eavis spent two years working at New Rock colliery and used his wages to save Worthy Farm.

In the Newspaper

October 2013

Heritage Project

Students will interview former Somerset miners as part of Radstock Museum’s £10k ‘Mining the Past’ project, preserving memories with Heritage Lottery Fund.

Annual Reunion

September 2013

The 2013 Miners Reunion

The 2013 Somerset Miners Reunion at Radstock Museum honoured volunteers, Rev. Sue Greatorex, and Julie Dexter, highlighting the need to preserve memories.

Annual Reunion

September 1989

The First Reunion

The first Annual Somerset Miners Reunion was held in September 1989 at the Museum’s original home, Barton Meade in Haydon, near Radstock.

History

July 1974

Kilmerston Miners Last Shift

On 24th July 1974, the Kilmerston miners surfaced for the very last time, bringing up a final load of salvaged equipment. Here’s the newspaper article about it.

In the Newspaper

June 1964

BEM Award for Mr Duery

On June 19th 1964, the Queen has honoured Gilbert George Duery (Mo Duery’s Father) for working at Kilmersdon Colliery for almost 45 years.

Our News & History

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