91福利社

Ian McMillan is exploring forgotten coalfields across England.

Most British pits closed long ago and memories are fading whilst away from the major coalfields many people don't even remember that coal was recently mined in Somerset, Kent, Shropshire, Cumbria and The Forest of Dean.

Are we doomed to forget our industrial past?

Northern United Colliery was the last operating deep coal mine in The Forest of Dean.

How do the ex-miners remember it?

Ian chats to Maurice Bent, Jack Meek, Royston James and Ray Ashley.

Producer: Tim Dee

First broadcast on 91福利社 Radio 4 in February 2006.