FROM THE VIDEO ARCHIVES: THE DELPH AT WORSLEY (PART 2)

Women and children worked underground digging for coal until 1840 with a graduated scale for wages depending on your age and sex. 

The tunnels route through Tyldsley, Walkden, Linnyshaw, Walkden and Bolton which were finally closed for in 1888 for transporting coal as more sophisticated methods of bringing the coal to the surface were introduced including steam powered winding equipment. 

How crowned heads of Europe would visit the Delph, Josiah Wedgewood and even industrial spies! as it was seen as one of the engineering feats of the world with canal boat trips arranged for their pleasure. 

Also the nice little perk that the owners of the stone masons cottage above the Delph had with the maintenance workers in the underground canal. 

Again I have to say that this two part series is one of the most if the best video that I have worked on, hats off to Glen Atkinson for sharing his knowledge with us and the National Coal Board for allowing us to use that amazing early film footage. 

This article first appeared on SalfordOnline in the month of October 2010, this tale of Miners is lovingly dug up and republished here with the consent of an Adult, as well as Tony Flynn with help from Young Tom Rodgers. It was edited by Mike Heap