SGMRG - South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group

SGMRG - South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group (SGMRG) was set up by local people to understand, record and where appropriate preserve local mining remains.

www.sgmrg.co.uk Welcome to SGMRG...

South Gloucestershire has a rich and varied mining history, the date of the earliest mining in the area is now lost in antiquity, but coal was worked in this area up until 1963, other forms of open cast mining continued later still. The mining remains cover a vast area from South Bristol, Easton, Kingswood to Coalpit Heath, Yate and Cromhall - and even Filton.

Most of the mining was for coal, but ochre, celestine, iron, lead and stone were also mined in the area. South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group (SGMRG) was set up by local people to understand, record and where appropriate preserve the remains, of what was once an extensive industry, for the present community and future generations. SGMRG is a voluntary organisation that relies on grants and donations from local people. Our membership is made up of archaeologists, surveyors, historians, engineers, cavers and those simply interested in finding more about what lies under their feet. We have regular meetings, walks and talks including the opportunity to get involved in exploration, archaeology and resotoration work. If you would like to join SGMRG, please visit our website sgmrg.co.uk

We are always interested to hear about new finds, old buildings or artefacts from the mining era. Do you have relatives who were involved in mining? If you have any information to share with us, please let us know.

On Friday 13th March and Wednesday 18th March at 10:30am, there are two chances to take part in a "Digging Deep Workshop...
26/02/2026

On Friday 13th March and Wednesday 18th March at 10:30am, there are two chances to take part in a "Digging Deep Workshop" in Bedminster library, booking essential, see more details in advert.

ALSO on Tuesday 24th March at 10:30am a talk about the 1886 Dean Lane Pit Disaster
by Garry Atterton

book via Bedminster library on 0117 9038529
or for more info on these events email
[email protected]

What promises to be a very interesting talk at about 8:15pm, following our AGM at 7:30pm. Details in advert
26/02/2026

What promises to be a very interesting talk at about 8:15pm, following our AGM at 7:30pm. Details in advert

On Saturday 28th March a metal miner and plaque will be unveiled in Bedminster. See more on the BCHG page below
26/02/2026

On Saturday 28th March a metal miner and plaque will be unveiled in Bedminster. See more on the BCHG page below

BREAKING NEWS!!!

On Saturday 28 March at 10.30am a seven-foot tall metal miner and a special commemorative ceramic plaque will be unveiled on the wall of the Jolly Colliers pub in West Street Bedminster.
The unveiling will be followed by a celebration in the Jolly Colliers pub from 11am. We are hoping that families with connections with Bedminster coalminers will attend.
The metal miner has been supplied by the Somerset Miners Welfare Trust. Many thanks to Bryn Hawkins and Dave Speed for their support. The plaque was produced by Ned Heywood of Heritage Ceramics in Chepstow.
The plaque commemorates the ten miners killed on the 31 August 1891 at the Malago Vale Pit disaster. One of those killed was Thomas Bolt who was the great grandfather of Michael Beese. Michael is a former Bedminster resident who has given great support to the project.
If you intend to attend the above event then please contact [email protected]

Regards Garry

If you like Industrial Heritage Museums, please fill in the survey to help with the future of Elsecar Heritage Centre by...
26/01/2026

If you like Industrial Heritage Museums, please fill in the survey to help with the future of Elsecar Heritage Centre by filling out their survey at
https://forms.office.com/e/edKziE8vT5
by THIS SUNDAY.

Have your say on the future of Elsecar Heritage Centre. They are creating a long-term plan for Elsecar and would like your ideas! Share your views on our survey by Sunday 1 March 2026.

I've been there a few times and if you are in the Barnsley area, it's well worth a visit.

Have your say on the future of Elsecar Heritage Centre. We are creating a long-term plan for Elsecar and would like your ideas! Share your views on our survey by Sunday 1 March 2026. The link in the comments section.

Details of our next talk on Wednesday 1 April. This one should be interesting to a wide range of people, not just mining...
24/01/2026

Details of our next talk on Wednesday 1 April. This one should be interesting to a wide range of people, not just mining history enthusiasts.

Details of our next talk coming up soon on Wednesday 14th January 2026.Dave Hardwick will tell us about a little known b...
24/12/2025

Details of our next talk coming up soon on Wednesday 14th January 2026.

Dave Hardwick will tell us about a little known bit of history about early safety lamps.

Hope to see you there.
Please share and / or print out and advertise locally.

30/11/2025

🗨 ⛏️ OUR 2026 TALK DATES ⛏️ 🗨

Next year's talk dates and subjects are now live on our website at

https://sgmrg.co.uk/diary-of-events/

ALSO scroll down on that page for our next talk . . . . .

Our talks are at the Miners Institute in Coalpit Heath starting at 7.30pm.

Details of our next talk coming up soon on Wednesday 3rd December. Steve Grudgings will be taking us through pictures of...
24/11/2025

Details of our next talk coming up soon on Wednesday 3rd December.

Steve Grudgings will be taking us through pictures of what remains of Coalpit Heath's coal industry - some that people saw on the group’s October walk, some underground and some that survived until recently but have now gone. There should be something of interest to everyone.

If you think you knew the area well, Steve’s talk might make you reconsider . . . . . .

Hope to see you there.

Please share and / or print out and advertise locally.

16/11/2025
A walk led by our Chairman, please share.
14/10/2025

A walk led by our Chairman, please share.

A rare find, but it's in America.
04/10/2025

A rare find, but it's in America.

Address

C/o The Miners, Badminton Road
Bristol
BS362QB

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