The Flickr Dukeries Image Generatr

Freightliner Class 66 No 66554 propels loaded MGR HAA coal hoppers for Ratcliffe Power Station off the colliery branch at Thoresby Colliery Sidings and passes the 1926 LNER/GCR signal box on 7th July 2015 - one of the final workings prior to the colliery closure three days later.

With the closure of the last deep coal mine in Nottinghamshire this was very much the end of an era for the UK in so many ways……

A very sad looking ‘Thoresby Colliery’ signal box still survives very nearly 10 years later alongside the Network Rail RIDC Test Track…..the colliery branch and sidings are long gone though…..

Copyright Photograph Robin Stewart-Smith - All Rights Reserved

Clumber Park is a country park in The Dukeries near Worksop. The estate, which was the seat of the Pelham-Clintons, Dukes of Newcastle, was purchased by the National Trust in 1946.

This is a very impressive building but in fact it is "only" the stables. The main house built in the 18th century suffered several fires and then post-WWI heavy taxation led the 9th Duke to demolish it in 1938.