We are calling on you again this week readers to solve a Mystery Photograph – do you recognise anyone pictured here? Radstock Museum think it could be a local sports presentation, but what is the event? Where was it held? Who are the people in the photograph and what was the year? Over to you! [email protected]

Thank you to everyone who has been in touch with their guesses for last week’s photograph – it was Edford Colliery, Holcombe.

Lucy Tudor, from Radstock Museum tells us: “Edford Colliery was situated on Edford Hill, Holcombe, where the concrete works stands today. No original colliery buildings remain, but the batch (spoil heap) does remain heaped beside the remnants of the Dorset and Somerset Canal which was intended to transport Mendip coal, limestone, wool and timber. The canal was never completed due to a lack of funds.

“The pit was sunk in the 1850s to an eventual depth of 798 feet. The pit was owned by Howard J Ridler and by 1896, employed 90 mine workers 68 below ground and 22 on the surface. The seams were very fractured, which meant that the miners would work the seam for only a short period of time before the seam was lost. The pit also supplied foundry coke from coke ovens situated at the pit head; this coke was used for manufacturing.

“Edford, like all other collieries in the area, was not without its tragedies. On the Durham Mining Museum website you can find lists of UK collieries and their disasters.

“Edford Colliery has several entries, including: William Moon, Haulier, age 16, killed by an explosion of firedamp, died 23rd February 1886, and George Gilson, Colliery, aged 28. A crush having occurred the second collar about 4 1/2 feet back from the face was knocked over and the roof ran in like gravel and sand burying him, his body was recovered in about nine hours, life being extinct, 12th January 1896.

“Edford Colliery closed in 1915.”

A very big thank you to Radstock Museum who support this popular

feature.

The Museum will be hosting a free Advent Window Trail on Saturday, 27th November from 11 am – 5 pm, a one-way trail to see mini lit up advent Christmas window scenes. Please wear a face covering for the event.

The museum shop will be open for Christmas shopping but the tearoom remains closed. The Museum’s Advent Window Trail is being sponsored by Radstock Town Council. The event takes place before the town’s Christmas Light Switch On at 4.50 pm.