New book aims to take reader on tour of West Yorkshire's mining history

A new book aims to take readers on a step-by-step tour of West Yorkshire's mining history.
AUTHORS: Dr Avril Jackson and Michael Britton with their Pit Walks Around West Yorkshire book.AUTHORS: Dr Avril Jackson and Michael Britton with their Pit Walks Around West Yorkshire book.
AUTHORS: Dr Avril Jackson and Michael Britton with their Pit Walks Around West Yorkshire book.

Retired university lecturer Dr Avril Jackson and ex National Coal Board worker Michael Britton have written ‘Pit Walks Around West Yorkshire’.

The book, which is being launched this weekend, features ten easy walks between six and 11 miles. It will take readers on a journey over old pit sites and through mining villages and countryside, with photographic directions and historical notes. Routes include the National Coal Mining Museum in Overton, Nostell Priory estate and Allerton Bywater.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The book stemmed from trails undertaken by members of a pub walking group in Darrington, near Pontefract.

Dr Jackson said: “We started the Spread Eagle Walking Group on Boxing Day 2012 with a seven-mile walk I created to unite Angler’s Tarn and Nostell Priory (walk 4 in the book).Our monthly walks were to be within 30 minutes drive of our Darrington base and I quickly realised that many of them were around reclaimed mining land.

“I asked Mick, who has got an MA in historical research, if he would assist me to complete this book by writing historical notes to accompany the walks which would hopefully create an interesting book.

“Four years later we have at last the finished result and hope readers enjoy the exercise and history of these ten pit walks around West Yorkshire.”

The book will be launched at Darrington Reading Rooms between 3pm and 5pm this Sunday. It costs £9 and is available via email on [email protected] or [email protected].