Situated on the roundabout at the start of the Cwm bypass is a machine. Many pass by without giving it a second glance. It was once a pump engine, forcing water from underground tunnels to allow miners to dig for coal.
Now nothing more than a rather large roadside ornament, fenced in as though it might escape, it once saved lives by keeping the water levels low, and earned money for the coal owners making the coal face accessible underground.
I suppose it is better that this now obsolete piece of machinery sits here to remind us of our heritage, than for it to be taken for scrap and made invisible by being melted down and turned into steel girders, or some other useful object.
Steam hammers, pit wheels and other memorabilia can be found decorating our roadsides, where once they earned their keep in the mining industry.
am fascinated by all the history of the UK coal industry.I was born myself on the very same day,approx time as the 6 bells colliery disaster.I've always,as an adult,felt myself sharing something rather special with that occasion.
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