The Colliery's Pithead Baths

Until 1938, miners at Caphouse Colliery had to go home from their shift covered with coal dust. Once the Pithead Baths were available, miners would come to work, leave their home clothes in the clean lockers, and pick up their towel and soap. Then they go to the dirty locker and change into their work clothes and boots. At the end of the day they leave their dirty, damp clothes and boots in the dirty locker, where warm air is pumped through to dry them overnight. Then they shower and change into their home clothes again. It made a huge difference to their welfare, and kept the coal dust out of their homes.Read more