Bullcroft Colliery
The sinking of the two 16'6" wide shafts commenced in 1909. Difficulties were encountered when water up to 6000 gallons per minute burst into the shafts. Eventually a German firm was brought in who used a method that froze the strata in and around the shafts. As sinking proceeded, circular steel plates were fitted around the shafts as a water barrier, to a depth of 122 yards. When the two shafts reached 128 yards, freezing was dispensed with and normal sinking commenced with no more difficulties.
The two shafts were sunk to the Dunsil seam 648 yards in depth, intercepting the Barnsley seam at 660 yards, the pit bottom being formed at this level. Coal was reached by December 1911. By the week ending 6 Jan 1912, about 1000 tons were turned and output rose steadily to around 20,000 tons per week.
Bullcroft joined 'Doncaster Amalgamated Collieries Ltd.' on 9 Feb 1937. In 1941, D.A.C. decided to create a research department into safety matters, particularly into the problems with spontaneous combustion in the Barnsley seam. As a result of investigations, it was decided to adopt pneumatic stowing of the gate side packs as a measure to prevent ventilation leakage from the gob. This was put into operation in 1944 and continued successfully. Production of the Dunsil seam commenced in 1943, with power loading being introduced in 1945.
on 1 Jan 1947, all collieries were nationalised. Diesel locomotion replace rope haulages on the southeast sides of the working and men riding from the pit bottom. In 1951, pithead baths were built, much to the delight of the miners and their families.
Bullcroft continued to turn coal until it merged with Brodsworth Colliery in 1970 with some of the Bullcroft workforce being transferred to Brodsworth. Operations in Bullcroft ceased and in 1872 the shafts were filled.
A memorial to all who worked and died in Bullcroft is situated near to where the main entrance gate was. There is half of a winding wheel, a plaque on the wall and a seat.
