At 20:56 05/11/02 -0500, you wrote:
>I know this is a somewhat more general inquiry than the kind normally
>circulated on your interesting list, but here goes...
>
>I'm working on a short monograph about coal mining in Nova Scotia
>(Canada)-- more particularly, a study of one rural coalfield
>(Joggins-Chignecto) dominated by thin (approx. 4-foot-thick) seams of
>rather marginal quality. I'm exploring the connection between nature
>(the configuration of the seams and the quality of the coal) and
>social history (the distinctive patterns of settlement, class
>formmation and trade unionism found in an area where people can farm
>and mine at the same time, smale-scale employers come and go, and
>many of the mines employed fewer than 50 people). Do any list members
>have recommendations for readings that explore similar topics in
>Britain? Are others working on the interface of environmental and
>labour history in related or contrasting ways? Are there British
>coalfields that I ought to think about for purposes of comparison?
>Thanks for any help.
Try "In the shadow of the mines" by Joe & Seamus Moore (a private
publication by Seamus Walsh but probably available from Mike Moore Books).
It is a folky history of mining at Castleconner Colleries, Co. Kilkenny,
Eire which produced a high quality anthracite from thin seams in very
geologically disturbed ground. Seamus Moore has written the book based on
the journals of his father Joe Walsh and covers the mines history to final
closures in the early 80s, and includes narratives on the fight for union
recognition and the mines/miners place in the community. If nothing else it
is an excellent read
Regards
Graham
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