Many of the Collieries also had male voice choirs as well as brass bands. I am a member of Bestwood Male Voice Choir which has its roots in the village colliery. Though the colliery closed many years ago, the choir is stil going strong as is the brass band called the BLACK DIAMONDS. The colliery winding head has been preserved and recently renovated. We also have several large coal fired power stations in the vicinity. It is very hard to imagine a life without coal. I believe the UK imports large amounts of coal from Europe where the hewing continues. Hopefully mechanisation is able to reduce the risk to mens lives, but as two recent events have shown, the risk is still as high as ever.

bradfordian