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Pit ponies, South Yorkshire, 1967. Artist: Michael Walters
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Pit ponies, South Yorkshire, 1967. Artist: Michael Walters
Pit ponies, South Yorkshire, 1967. In 1913 there were 70, 000 pit ponies at work in Britain, according to government statistics. When the National Coal Board was formed in 1947, over 21, 000 were still working. By 1952 the total number of working ponies had been reduced to 15, 500 and, by 1973, only 490 remained
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Media ID 15066738
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Coal Industry Coal Mine Coal Miner Coal Mining Colliery Headlamp Helmet Lamp Michael Michael Walters Mine Miner Miners Helmet Mining Overalls Paul Walters Worldwide Photography Ltd Pit Head Pithead South Yorkshire Walters Winding Gear Pit Pony
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Pit Ponies - A Glimpse into the Vanishing World of British Coal Mining
EDITORS COMMENTS
. This photo print, captured by artist Michael Walters in 1967, takes us back to a significant era in Britain's coal mining history. The image showcases pit ponies hard at work in South Yorkshire, offering a poignant reminder of their once vital role underground. During the early 20th century, these loyal equine companions numbered an astonishing 70,000 across the country. However, as industrialization progressed and technology advanced, their numbers dwindled rapidly. By the time the National Coal Board was established in 1947, only around 21,000 remained employed. Walters' photograph transports us to a moment when coal miners relied on these sturdy creatures for hauling heavy loads through treacherous tunnels deep beneath the surface. With heads held high and adorned with headlamps illuminating their path forward, these pit ponies symbolize resilience amidst challenging conditions. The monochrome composition adds depth and intensity to this historical snapshot while emphasizing the grit and determination etched onto every miner's face present at that pithead. It serves as a testament to both human ingenuity and our complex relationship with animals throughout centuries of industrial progress. As we gaze upon this thought-provoking image today—knowing that by 1973 only a mere 490 pit ponies would remain—we are reminded of how far we have come since those days of reliance on animal labor within Britain's
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