Old Mills Colliery was established by Messrs Evans, Pooll and Hill and work to sink the first shaft began in about 1861. According to Down & Warrington’s definitive book on the Somerset Coalfield, the first consignment of twelve tons of coal left for Radstock in 1864. Wells Asylum, who purchased 95 tons three years later, is believed to have been the first customer.

Old Mills was never as productive as the Springfield Colliery just across the lane from Old Mills, (where Tesco and the industrial units are now), so, despite some modernisation in the 1930’s, coal winding stopped in 1941 and the shaft was retained for emergency use.

The waste from the Springfield pit continued to be deposited on the iconic Old Mills batch.

This historic landmark is one of just a handful of visible reminders that the Somerset Coalfield ever existed. To celebrate this heritage, Somerset Coalfield Life at Radstock Museum is hoping that local people will photograph or create an

artwork of the batch to be displayed in an exhibition at the museum in June.

Two of the entries will be chosen by local photographers, Will Nicol and Anna Barclay, along with local artist, Roger Jones, to become postcards for our area. Full details on how to submit your entries for the competition and exhibition can be found at: www.

radstockmuseum.co.uk