Been off line for a while so missed all the conversation on this one.
I don't think the coal authority have any bad motives. I wonder how many in
the group have used them for research purposes? I have many times both by
visiting the records office and by sending off for plans. Dave Clark has
always been very helpfull and has always sent more back than I ever paid for.
Also on a professional basiss they have always been helpful and genuine
regarding colliery licencing.
As to selling packs about property searches. The lad who does our survaying
actualy works for the Coal Authority on this work. The plans and information
they already have to hand would enable them (as it already does) to carry on
an efficiant service in this dept.
They are currently putting all the plans into a format that can be downloaded
through the net and have spent a lot of money on their records facilities for
the gen public.
They have no hidden agenda or motives and treat all alike when you access
their facilities, which is more than I can say for some research facilities
where the archavists and librarians look down their noses at you because your
hands are callused from pit work then lyingly tell you a document dosn't
exist... When you know fine well it does.
I tjhink it is very good Idea and one to be supported as all serious
researchers will be able to gain access to what they may spend many wasted
man hours pointlessly seeking.
For a body of mining Historians on the list What central data base or even
finished published books (Not including those of the clubs as most of those
are written by the members).
Are we going to stand in the way of an organisation that has the funding and
the ability to put together a good package just because iy hasn't got the
NAMHO stamp?
The Coal Board/Authority has been keeping records for longer than any other
mining historical organisation/sociaty in the UK.
Clive Seal
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