Some of colliers 1950
Hafod Colliery
(clicking on a thumbnail image will open a larger version)
Surface 1959 at time of new head frame stallation
Hafod was sunk in the 1860s, under the ownership of the Ruabon Coal Company, with the name "Ruabon New Colliery" as there had been a Ruabon Colliery previously. The company went into liquidation in 1880 and the colliery came into the ownership of the Ruabon Coal and Coke Company (Managing Director Henry Dennis whose son succeeded him in 1906).
The large tonnage of stone and shale dug out in order to reach the coal seams formed the start of the Bonc. The reserve of coal was such that families moved to the area and the Rhos and Johnstown were built as coal became the major contributor to the local economy.
In its heyday Hafod employed almost 2,000 workers producing a range of types of coal plus gas (although gas was a firehazard in coal mines it was an asset if it could be piped to the surface for use rather than simply venting to disperse). The adjoining clayworks were frequently owned by the same owners as the colliery and produced the famous "Ruabon Red" bricks and tiles in gas-fired kilns fuelled by gas (and that piped from Bersham in later years)
Carlton Main Colliery Company, owners of Llay Main Colliery, took over Hafod in 1933. At that time a quota system was being introduced nationally, the North Wales Quota System meant that although Hafod was producing 570,000 tons its quota was established at 371,768 and along with many other mines went on to short time working.
Hafod trainees 1953.
No.1 pit bottom 1961.
Hafod ponies arriving at Horses Rest home, Halewood, 1947.
After WW2 there was a gradual closing down of coal mines and Hafod closed March 1968.
Like so many in the area the colliery was completely demolished after closure but in the case of Hafod most of the spoil tip remained and a country park was created on the site.
KA handing over the last lamp to have been alight underground
Daily Post photo of Hafod in 1968
Nostalgic photo taken by KA some time after the pit closed