There a number of coal seams running under Owlthorpe: Sitwel Thin Coal, Sitwell, Rawmarsh and Silkstone. History shows that coal in Owlthorpe has been mined by a number of pits including the Birley group of pits.

Mining at Dent Main Colliery continued until the late 1960s 

Mining at Moorhole Colliery ended in 1932.

One thing that both mines have in common is that they are situated at the side of the Ochre Dyke; water had to be constantly pumped out of both when in operation.

It is belived that vast quantities of coal were extracted from Dent Main colliery which was very successful and had a commercial contract to supply Blackburn Meadows power station in Sheffield. Local coal dealers, M. Heath Jones of Intake and Keeton & Richardsons, were also used for nearby small businesses and household coal sales. 

The drift was driven at an incline of 1 in 3.3 into the Parkgate seam of Coal, which is due east from this location. 

Coal Mining is part of Owlthorpe Heritage. Moorhole Colliery is situated on Owlthorpe Heritage and Nature Trail. (Plot (F) is situated on Moor Valley opposite Dimond Cottages.)

Thank you for signing our petition, Keep spreading the word

Michael Meredith

PS: We are looking for any old photos of Dent Main Collery & Moorhole Colliery pits, miners, pit ponies or the lorries that we could use on our website. Please email information to Email: ecologicalowlthorpe@gmail.com