All of us at @ncmme.bsky.social were proud to host a very special event today: the launch of Brian Elliott’s major new publication ‘Miners at War’. Thank you @TheWombwellRainbow.bsky.social for such poignant poetry readings & Andy Featherstone for sharing his remarkable memorabilia collection too.

Very excited to spot an Elsecar Davy #draincover in Pontefract today. Love it when an old job and a new job connect in unexpected ways ❤️ @bookishwonder.bsky.social @historyjt.bsky.social @michaelcurates.bsky.social

Over the last 6 months, we’ve transformed an 1851 surface tunnel into an accessible ‘Time Tunnel’ time machine… It includes carefully crafted scenics, digital characters, immersive AV, digital special effects, original objects & our amazing mine guides. More info: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Very excited to reveal that we have taken on large parts of The Old Grammar School here in Lichfield. The site dates back to the 15th century. We plan to transform its extraordinary spaces into a community heritage hub & a place to celebrate all our city’s history. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Hi everyone, can you help one of my students with her MA dissertation? Amy is exploring the motivations, influences & ambitions of those who practice history (from professionals to amateurs, paid to hobbyist). Fill in her survey to add your experience (& please share): forms.office.com/e/mFNv6tAqxn

Privilege to help out with the install of a special new site-wide exhibition today… Sculptures by Barnsley-born Graham Ibbeson, including mining memorials, coal queens & celebrities with (very) surprising links to coal! More info: www.ncm.org.uk/whats-on/coa... @ncmme.bsky.social

A city packed with extraordinary architecture… Lichfield has got plenty of Georgian buildings, a fair few of which hide much older medieval origins within. Others more honest about their age include these part-timbered favourites, photographed this weekend on an icy early morning explore… ✨❄️

Spotted earlier, a huge Tudor Rose crafted & installed into Lichfield Cathedral 500 or so years ago. From welcoming Henry’s army en route to Bosworth in 1485, to becoming a city in 1553 (Mary’s first year as Queen), Lichfield’s history in the first decades of the Tudor Age is extraordinary…

It’s long been suggested locally that JRR Tolkien’s tree-like warriors, the Ents, may have been inspired in part by this ancient oak at Cannock Chase, where he was based during the First World War. It’s extraordinary to see in person and well worth finding… @tolkiensociety.org @digitaltolkien.com

It’s really important to follow @auschwitzmemorial.bsky.social - and it’s never felt more relevant in a Europe once more witness to conflict. My grandmother’s family who remained in France after 1900 died here in 1944: faces and people I will never know.

Today is the 80th anniversary of the Fauld Disaster, understood to be the largest ever explosion in the UK. Our community heritage group wrote an extended blog-post about the disaster and its legacy earlier this year: www.facebook.com/share/1ETEwF...

Cinema test for #Doncasterandtheminersstrike #film premiering this Thursday at The Savoy cinema. #minersstrike #40years

This is J.W. A compact beefcake. Coalminer and later steward of Trafalgar Working Men’s Club, Burnley. Fathered 15 kids, did some great wrestling, esp. around 1908. Loved writing his story. The Catch Wrestling Collier, John Willie Price (1870-1957): grapplingwithhistory.com/2020/07/24/j...

An inspiring day in the Midlands. This morning exploring behind the scenes in the vast Coal Authority archives. Then discovering the stunning site looked after by Pleasley Pit Trust and meeting their trustees and volunteers for the first time. Brilliant.

If you love #HistNursing and or architecture do come &visit the Christchurch Nurse’s memorial chapel & museum. It’s believed to the only chapel in the world to commemorate nurses who lost their lives in war & the influenza pandemic afterwards. We have some great treasures. Follow on instagram.

One of (many!) privileges of working at England’s last surviving deep colliery is exploring secret places, underground & on the surface. Inside this building never open to the public: machinery, electrical kit, tub rails, signage & more, & a mineshaft dating back to to 1827… @ncmme.bsky.social

A stunner of a 13th century moated site just to the west of Lichfield on Pipe Green. Check out that LIDAR… Wow. ✨

Any historic wallpaper specialists out there? Trying to put a date on this…. Thoughts appreciated!

We’re pleased to have brought @ncmme.bsky.social, the National Coal Mining Museum, to BlueSky.🦋 The very last accessible deep colliery in England, we’re committed to sharing the proud story of our coalfields, whilst recognising coal’s legacy, showcasing sustainable tech & the journey to Net Zero.

Excellent, thoughtful & provocative day yesterday at #Museums2024, including a spectacular evening! Big thank you to all at @museumsassociation.bsky.social & Royal Armouries and hope everyone has a great second day of conference.

Vital discussion around civic & ‘LA-born’ museums at #Museums2024 Key takeaways: Real £££ precipice facing many. We need to tackle that assertively, positively, and from a position of strength & confidence in our impact, with unity amongst museums & shared voice @museumsassociation.bsky.social

Excellent turnout for Sharon Heal setting a tone of outspokenness & reflection for this year’s conference. Big thank you to @tracybrabin.bsky.social for shoutouts for WY museums including the National Coal Mining Museum #Museums2024 @museumsassociation.bsky.social

Day of discovery for us about Great Grandad George. A battling Welsh Bantam, he served 1914-18, was at Bourlon Wood & captured at the Battle of the Lys. Thanks @BElliottAuthor (Twitter) for inspiring us to revisit his story, @Sommecourt for podcast on Bourlon & @1418Research for lecture about Lys.

Remembering the 900-1500 nurses across all nations who lost their lives in The Great War

Pte (& Miner) George Tanner, in uniform after signing up & German records of his capture on front line during the German offensive, the Battle of the Lys, 9/4/18, whilst serving with the 18th Welsh. He made it. Last pic is back at pit top 30+ years later, 2nd row far left.

The Gardens of Remembrance, created in 1920, and with the three spires of Lichfield’s medieval cathedral behind. This year’s ceremony starts today at 11am.

Final preparations are underway for the Premier of 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗲 this Sunday at @CusworthHall. We are really looking forward to welcoming people to the space. Please be aware there has been some groundwork and it may be quite muddy. The weather says it is going to be dry, but it is