A MINERS' VILLAGE
THOSE who have travelled at Easter-tithe by car througli the " Dukeries "in Nottinghamshire must be impressed by the number of new villages for colliers now being built. The development of a great new coalfield of South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire, covering an area of not less than 600 squaremiles that contain rich seams of good quality coal, is causing a migration of populations in the Midlands. No fewer than nineteen pits have been sunk and are now productive, and sinking is proceeding in three more. It is estimated by the Coal Commission that by 1930 the amended output of these new pits will be 20,000,000 tons, or more than half the production of Scotland ; and that it will last until the year 2300 A.D.
The provision of accommodation for the miners and their families presents a series of problems to those directing the new enterprises. In the houses that I have visited recently, the standard of amenities provided is equal to that of any housing scheme in the country. The Coal Commissions' Report on this matter states : "With regard to new collieries, we observe with great satisfaction the efforts that are being made in a number of instances to provide a sufficiency of accommodation, and of a proper standard." At some of the large new mines in this coalfield, from one-third to nearly one-half of the total capital provided is being spent upon housing.
One of the most interesting of these new colliery villages is at 011erton, about a quarter of a mile north-east of the old village, and on the main line between Chesterfield, Lincoln and Grimsby. Here some 1,100 houses are to be built. As temporary accommodation concrete huts were built for men who were sinking the shafts. To-day there are some 54 permanent houses. A special effort has been made to avoid monotony by standardization of types, and as brick is the material used, it has been found possible to have ten different types of houses. These vary in size from 946 square feet to 866 square feet. The average cost after the Chamberlain subsidy is subtracted is about 1420. This includes not only the house and foundations, but garden paths, fencing, en- trance gates, connexions with main sewer, electric lighting and the installation of a system of central heating and hot water supply.
This hot water system has been developed by the Butterley Colliery Company, who own a number of pits in the district, and is alone worth a visit as one of the most notable experiments in providing an unceasing flow of water practically at boiling point for the use of colliers and their families at all times of the day and night, and at all seasons of the year, at an• estimated cost of sixpence a week. Although the Coal Commission strongly recommends the provision of pithead baths, many miners whose homes are not too far away from the pithead prefer to go straight home to wash and change their clothing. At 011erton the hot water supply is heated by the exhaust steam at the pithead. At week-ends or when the pit is standing, live steam is used. The hot 'water is circulated to all the houses on the estate, and only drops in temperature very slightly after the whole circuit is completed. A similar installation has been tried for some time past at Kirkby, and has proved to be most satisfactory.
Other features of this mining village are the spacious rooms, the number of cupboards, the playgrounds for children and the beauty of the lay-out. All those in- terested in housing can learn many lessons from this admirable industrial housing scheme.
B. S. TOWNROD,
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