Nationalisation Day at Bolsover Colliery

The National Coal Board, commonly known as the NCB, was established in 1946 as the main public body to run British coal mines from nationalisation day, also known as vesting day, which was set for the 1st of January 1947. Prior to this, the coal industry was run by many private companies, often operating under different rules. During World War Two, the coal reserves were in government hands to help with the war effort, but these were still worked by the private companies. After the end of the war in 1945, many coal mines were in need of immediate attention and it was decided to bring the coal industry into government hands.

This photograph shows the staff at Bolsover Colliery lifting up the NCB flag at the colliery on the 1st of January 1947. It had first opened in 1899 and had been run by the Bolsover Colliery Company up until nationalisation. As the site was large, many buildings were used after nationalisation for administration offices for the NCB. The colliery was also served by a large railway sidings and a pit village was especially built known as New Bolsover. The colliery finally closed in 1993.