” Recollections of the Cannock Chase Mining Community” – the book running alongside the Cannock Chase Coalfield Memorial sited in Hednesford, Staffordshire

This book was written to tell the story of how the memorial came to be built.  It is also a tribute to the area’s coal mining heritage and to the people who played a role, however big or small, in helping to create that heritage.  

It also records all 4,034 names which appear on the bricks making up the memorial. This enabled those not able to visit the site an opportunity to have a record of names included within the memorial.

Mike Mellor and Julie Shires compiled and edited the book on behalf of CHAPS as the group was nearing completion of Phase 2 of the memorial.  They approached several people from Mining Historical groups as well as committee members involved in the process; wrote chapters themselves charting progress and included some of the messages and letters sent in by those who purchased groups.  Full lists of those named on the bricks were included: 1,130 within phase one and 1,491 in phase two.

Supplements were added with names of those included in phase three: 913 and phase four:500 – a total of 4,034 names.

3000 copies of the book were sold, a number were sent overseas. Copies were gifted to all Historical Societies involved, to Parish Councils who had donated towards the memorial, and to all libraries in the area meaning that the information included within the book will always be accessible.

The book is no longer available for sale but copies can be found in: Cannock, Hednesford, Norton Canes, Rugeley libraries; with the British Library; Parish Councils of Bridgtown, Brindley Heath, Burntwood, Cannock Wood, Great Wyrley,  Heath Hayes & Wimblebury, Norton Canes; with Hednesford Town Council and Cannock Chase Council; Historical Societies of Bridgtown, Cheslyn Hay, Great Wyrley, Lea Hall & Brereton Collieries, Norton Canes, with the Museum of Cannock Chase and the William Salt Library, Stafford.

Click to View Cannock Chase Coalfield Memorial Project

Produced as a lasting testament to the men, women and children who worked in the UK coal mining industry, this book was also written to complement the National Miners’ Memorial (NMM) located at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) in Alrewas Staffordshire. 

In addition to a history of UK coal mining, it contains details of every UK miner that was awarded the Victoria Cross in World War 1 and World War 2. We are told this is the only place where all 47 are listed in the same place. The book also tells the story of the bronze plaques that are a part of the NMM together with the names of donors [and their messages] that supported the building of the memorial.

The book was written and researched by four CHAPS committee members with help from historians Brian Elliott and Paul Bedford and contains a foreword by CHAPS President Mike Mellor BEM.   

Proceeds from the book have helped to fund the construction of the NMM. Copies have been donated to libraries across the UK to preserve the legacy of the coal mining industry. A number of individuals and Parish Councils have purchased books to donate to their local schools, thus further enabling young people to learn of the legacy of UK coal mining history

Books can be bought for £10.00 from:

 

Stories from the Cannock Chase Mining Community – a limited edition book containing stories from and relating to those who worked in the Cannock Chase Coalfield 

This book was written to ensure the stories of life ‘in the pits’ of the Cannock Chase Coalfield are not lost

As members of the public bought bricks to be included within the memorial sited in Hednesford, many of them sent stories and memories of either the person they were naming or of life within the coal mining community. Some of the stories were included in “A Lasting Tribute” but many were not – as there was limited space available.

So a book dedicated to those stories and memories was compiled; all messages and stories given to CHAPS were included.

The book was not produced for sale; a limited number was printed to be gifted locally.

Every Library in the area was gifted a copy as were some local historical groups.  The books are available in the libraries for reference: ISBN 978-0-9572255-1-0

Location:  The book is available for reference at the British Library, Cannock, Hednesford,  Norton Canes, Rugeley libraries; William Salt Library, Stafford; Museum of Cannock Chase Library; Historical Societies of Bridgtown, Cheslyn Hay, Great Wyrley, Norton Canes, Lea Hall & Brereton Collieries and the Museum of Cannock Chase artefacts collection.