South Derbyshire Mining Preservation Group

03/11/2026

It isn’t a standard tally and we have a number on the metal pinch clips as shown. Someone suggested they might have been related to the substation…

We have several of these in our collection, but do not know what they were used for. Does anybody know what they were used for? Marked with NCB on the back.

27/10/2026

We have several of these in our collection, but do not know what they were used for. Does anybody know what they were used for? Marked with NCB on the back.

12/09/2026

We’re here at Swad Heritage Fest today! ⛏️

Come along and visit the South Derbyshire Mining Preservation Group stand, have a look at our display and learn more about the area’s proud mining heritage.

📍 Swadlincote Town Centre
📅 Today – Saturday 12 September
🕚 11am–5pm
🎟️ Free entry

There’s plenty happening throughout the day, so pop down and say hello — we’d love to see you!
Swad Heritage Fest Sharpe's Pottery Museum The Magic Attic

28/07/2026

The SDMPG is having a break for their ‘pit fortnight’ after today’s meeting. We will be back on Tuesday 18th August (assuming someone can round us all up and get us back in!)

See you soon 😎

20/06/2026

We’re all set up at the Festival of Leisure! 🚂⛏️

Come and say hello to the South Derbyshire Mining Preservation Group and take a look at our display of mining artefacts, photographs, maps and local mining history.

You’ll find us in the marquee alongside The Magic Attic at Maurice Lea Memorial Park. Whether you’re interested in local history or just having a browse around the festival, we’d love to see you.

Pop by for a chat and learn more about preserving our mining heritage for future generations.

25/04/2026

Discover "Lamplight: Stories from South Derbyshire's Mining Past" a new audio trail illuminating Swadlincote's mining heritage.

Embark on a unique listening journey around Swadlincote with South Derbyshire Mining Preservation Group's brand new oral history project. This immersive trail of 9 new listening experiences representing 9 mining significant sites in and around Swadlincote Town Centre promises to unearth the rich mining heritage and vibrant stories of our local area, inviting you to explore its history like never before.

Visit 'John' the ghostly virtual miner in the glaze room on Saturday 25th April, and pick up an audio trail guide to scan the QR code and listen to the audio trail online in your own time.

Project credits:
Funded by as part of 2026

Project Management, Audio Trail Design, Production & Theme Music by

Audio Engineering

Oral History Interviews by Rachel Thorpe & Mel Biggs

Interview Transcriptions by Linda Mould

'John' Written by Andy Barrett

Film & Technical Installation Adam Robertson

'John' Played by Former Miner Dr Mark Knight

Thanks to everyone who contributed their voices to this project: John Worker, John Atkins, Tim Saddington, Doris Elaine Tagg, June Blood, Margaret Barsby, Jean Edge, Tony Muldoon, Steve Hughes, Brian Haywood, and Brian Mangham.

Special thanks to John Leech and all
People Express Arts, Sharpe's Pottery Museum, , Circularity.org ,

23/04/2026

Lamplight Audio Trail – South Derbyshire’s Mining Stories

A brilliant local event taking place at Sharpe’s Pottery Museum this April.

Step into South Derbyshire’s mining past through an immersive audio trail, sharing real stories from those who lived and worked in the industry. A great way to experience local history in a more personal and engaging way.

📅 Saturday 25th April
🕙 10:00am – 4:00pm
📍 Sharpe’s Pottery Museum (also available online)

Definitely worth a visit if you’re local or have an interest in the area’s history.

21/04/2026

The Lamplight Audio Trail Exhibition is on at Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, bringing together stories from South Derbyshire’s mining past. It’s based around real memories from local miners and the community, with an audio trail you can follow around Swadlincote.

The trail takes you past old colliery sites, memorials and the Miner’s Welfare, starting from the museum and heading through the town. Good to see these stories being recorded and kept alive.

Saturday 25 April, 10am–4pm at Sharpe’s Pottery Museum.