Surviving pit marks its century

Maltby survived a big explosion and violent scenes during the miners' strike

Maltby colliery in South Yorkshire is celebrating 100 years of mining with a packed weekend of events.

The pit has survived despite a turbulent history, including an underground explosion in the 1920s which claimed 27 lives.

It also saw picketing violence during the miners' strike in the mid-80s and near-closure in the late-90s.

Its future was assured last year when UK Coal sold it for £21.5m to one of its customers, Hargreaves Services.

Hargreaves owns the Monckton Coke and Chemical Company which consumes 25% of the coking coal produced at Maltby.

As part of the sale, Hargreaves signed a new three-year contract with the UK's biggest coal-fired energy plant, Drax power station in North Yorkshire.

Surface foreman Darren Richardson said to celebrate the centenary they had a family fun day and concert on Saturday and a church service and march on Sunday.

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