Broken Dream

Dream

 

As an ex-coal miner myself, I felt a particular connection with this little

project

 

What you are looking at is a 70ft High sculpture of a young girl this was

conceived and designed by the great Spanish artist Jaume Plensa. And

named Dream

 

The sculpture was commissioned by ex – coal miners of the St Helens

area and St Helens Council and constructed on the grounds of the old

Sutton Manor Colliery in 2009.

 

 

This image is my personal tribute to the Coal Miners of St Helens, and

indeed for all miners, every man woman, boy or girl that ever had to

crawl on their bellies under miles of earth to make a living, this one’s for

you.

 

I spent 2 years working in a coal mine in the St Helens area, a relative

short time compared to many who spent the best part of their lives

working underground. But what I saw and experienced in those 2 years

will stay with me for ever.

 

For anyone that hasn’t been down a mine or has no concept of what it’s

like I shall recall a short tale of my first day as a 16 year old boy

working underground.

 

After 2 weeks training, I was assigned to my place of work at Bold

Colliery. At the time as I remember some 780 men worked this mine,

although I could wrong on the exact numbers. I worked three shifts that

changed on a weekly basis. 7..00 am - 3.30pm (This was the worst

shift for me because in winter I would not see daylight during a weekday

for about three months) this was the shift I started on and wasn’t

introduced to the other shifts until a few months later.

 

I was given a Miners helmet, a miners light that attached to the helmet,

the light which was about the weight of a heavy duty flash light was

attached by a cable to a battery (this was about the size and weight of

a battery that would be used for a motorbike). A “Self Rescuer” (a kind

of mask that also quite heavy). Steel toe capped boots, cotton

coveralls. And a tally with a number on. I can’t go into too much detail

here (In reality I could write a book) but you have to imagine a skinny 16

year old boy, wearing a rough belt made from conveyor material, loaded

down with a battery, and the other various kit mentioned above, and with

heavy steel toe capped boots.

 

I was herded into a cage with other miners, grown men, hard looking

men, I remember we were packed in tight, and then a grill was pulled

down manually and suddenly the earth beneath my feet disappeared as

the cage dropped like a stone into the bowels of the earth. I remember

uttering a few involuntary expletives and one of the men said “don’t

worry you’ll get used to it”

A series of disgusting smells assailed by nostrils on the way down but

eventually I got out of the cage, legs a bit shaky, but other wise ok.

 

Theres a whole lot more to this story but I couldn't get it to load, too

much text I guess.

 

Thanks for reading, your thoughts and comments are always very

welcome.

Alf... A strong and ethereal image that takes on considerable meaning when combined with your touching story. Excellent work and a compelling story... Mike

Hi Alf,

Thanks for sharing some of your recollection of your past experiences.

This documentary image is a fitting tribute and an outstanding gesture by yourself.

Well done.

All the best in 2012., Mike

A wonderful photograph combined with an excellent narrative.

While I am not claustrophobic at all ( I actually like small spaces ) the thought of being hundreds of feet underground is a bit intimidating. On a dive of a 100' to 130' your transit time to the surface is anywhere from 6-8 minutes taking max precautions and 3-4 if you are in a hurry and that seems like forever. I can only imagine being hundreds of feet underground and something going wrong.

Well done Alf.

An excellent ethereal image Alf.  I have been in some tight places in my life, but I have never been into the earth so deep, with the air so dense and choking.  Wonderful narrative to go with your image and your B/W work is improving greatly.  Thank you for sharing.  Best regards...

-Dave

Alf,

 Excellent image with a touching story to boot.  It doesn't get any better that this .  Thanks for sharing.  Take care, Patsy

Fantastic essay Alf...you could write a book:-)  Your shot does pay tribute to your fellow workers....Regards

Alf, a nice story for a beautiful and moving image. The soft contrast really works for this. This is very different than the Plensa work that I am familiar with.

Alf, Brief but well told story, I felt your anxiety, on the other hand I can't imagine a life of doing that, as it seems you could not either. But I like your homage to the St Helens miners and think it very touching. I tnink many of us would enjoy some of the stories you could tell. Hey maybe there's a book in your future? Take care my friend.

Sincerely,

Holger

Wonderfully conceived and executed work with even a better story.My father worked in the copper and gold mines in Cyprus in the late 30s.he kept his mining gear in a a box and as a young child i used to wear it around the house,i vividly remember asking him where is the switch to switch on the acetylene lamp on the helmet (you can  imagine how old the gear was).Best regards,Harry

Indeed a touching gesture to honor your fellow coal miners.  As others have mentioned above, this sounds to me like your next writing project.  I'm sure your grandchildren would love to hear about these experiences as well.  Although I know it can't compare to your experience, the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago has a coal mining exhibit.  They put you in a mock mine shaft elevator, which descends to a mock coal mine.  They cover the history of mining, and I came away knowing a lot more than I ever thought possible about coal mining.  I know that as a child it left an impression on me.  And since most kids these days are more interested in electronics and video games, kids should be made aware of the heroes in our lives.......people who fight the wars and do the difficult and dangerous jobs.  These jobs affect entire families.  Thanks for sharing your story, Alf.  We'll be 'listening' for Chapter 2.  :-)

an evocative photograph... an interesting write-up... both pique my interest and i want to know more...

Hi Alf,

Thank you for sharing this interesting story and image.

Very creative,
Ben

Lovely story Alf,

 

Being from West Yorkshire, I have worked with a few ex miners and heard some of the tales. Have only ever been down the pit at NCM Wakefield though and think I am happy to keep it to that. Lovely shot as well by the way.

 

All the best, Dave.

The title is well transported by the lines and the head form transformation.

Alf,

This is so good, the dream; not just to be above ground in the light of day but to soar through the heavens.  A very poignant story, and a lovely pictorial illustration.

Jim

Hola Alf.

Un trabajo muy creativo, la composicion y el procesado es excelente. Te felicito.

Un cordial saludo, Joaquín.

For anyone wanting to read a bit more bout my first day down the mine, heres the next part that wouldn't load with the initial image and introduction.

"I climbed out of the cage, legs a bit shaky but otherwise ok, and we were then directed towards a small train. There were metal open carriages with slats f wood about 4ft long that served as benches. I climbed aboard with the other men,  I was looking around curious about these new surroundings but was told told gruffly by someone nearby "keep your bloody head down or you'll get it knocked off" I later found out they were referring tto the many obstacles and protrusions that come from the tunnel wall and ceiling.

After what seemed like miles the train stopped and we alighted. I was assigned to a group of 5 men and they headed the way down another narrow tunnel. This is when the fun really started! The next part of the journey I was soon to learn was by means of coneyor belt! The trouble was you had to get onto the coneyor belt whilst the bloody thing was moving! Which, I can assure you is a daunting business at the first attempt! Evetually I plucked up enough courage to leap onto the conveyor belt that seemed to be travelling at an incredible speed, and I landed amidst a pile of coal.  As the rollers undulated beneath my legs, the sharp coal cut through my cotton coveralls and into my skin. If I thought getting on the conveyor was difficult, getting off was even worse, thankfully a burly coal miner that must have sensed my uncertainty grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and physically hoisted me off the belt back onto solid ground.

The environment we arrived in was pitch black, the ground was rutted and uneven, and there were boards and timbers sticking out of the walls and ceiling. Also the tunnel was now much narrower and lower. So much so I had to walk hunched over, I was only 16 but I was still 6ft 2" tall

The next part of the journey was on foot and the skinny 16 year old boy (me) stumbled over rough ground and struck my head on the protruding timbers over and over. The light from my helmet only illuminating where I looked and if I looked out for the ceiling obstacles, then the chances are I would trip oer a rock or a hole in the floor. In the meantime the chaffing fom the rough belt that suspended the battery and other equipment had removed a few layers of skin from my boney hips. And now my feet also hurt from the steel toe capped boots.

There were no toilets, no washing facilities and no other light than the ones on my helmet and those of the other miners.

I was given work loading carriages with supply materials for the coal face, and at lunch time I went to retrieve my sandwiches fom where I had left them on a small pipe that was about 4ft from ground level. I was aghast to see in the light of my helmet, a small army of mice steadily devouring my lunch having already chewed thier way through the aliminium foil wrapping. (I was later advised that the only way of preventing mice from eating them was by suspending them from the celing by a piece of string)  

As I sat in the semi darkness, eating what I had managed to rescue from the maruading mice, I noticed that the portion of the sandwich which I was holding (under my fingers) had remained white, whilst the rest of the sandwich that had been exposed to the air for a minute of so had turned a darker gray! This was the first time I realised the amount of coal dust I was breathing in, and of course consuming with the sandwich.

I'd better stop here before the PN mafia bar me from writing any more : - ) but suffice to say there were far worse horrors ahead.

(only kidding Josh).

The last thing I will mention though, is the miners themselves that I come to know and respect. I count myself as being priviledged to work with such men, I come to know them as the most selfless horourable and kind hearted men imaginable.

Don't get me wrong, these guys were rough, and didn't suffer fools gladly, but I don't think there was one amongst them that wouldn't have risked thier own life to help a colleague, even if that colleague was a total stranger! There wasn't a one amongst them that didn't have a kind word or a joke for a young lad, and there wasn't one that wouldn't be willing  to share thier last drink of water, chaw of tobacco or pinch of snuff.

These men epitomised that old phrase "The Salt of The Earth"

Many Thanks for taking the time to read the above.

Best Regards

Alf

MIKE M

I'm really pleased you enjoyed both the story and the image, theres a bit more to read above if you have he time and inclination, but I could write 5 A4 pages for every day I spent down the mine, I think because of the harsh environment, the memories remain vivid. Thank You!

Cheers Mike.

Alf

MIKE P

Sincere thanks for your kind words and consideration, much appreciated!

Best Regards and Best Wishes for 2012

Alf

JOE

Many Thanks for your interest and feedback, much appreciated!.

On a couple of occasions we had the roof collapse and temporarily block the tunnels, and whilst I wasn't conscious at the time of being claustrophobic, to this day I can't go in a small space without getting very anxiuous. We would have to crawl through tiny spaces to get to the exit and at those times it really did feel like you had the weight of the world on your shoulders almost in a literal sense.

Cheers Joe!

Alf

DAVE

Many Thanks for your interest and kind comments. I'm really pleased you think the B & W processing is improving. It's all still a bit hit and miss, but hopefully I'm making proress.

Cheers Dave!

Alf

PATSY

Thank you so much for your kind words and feedback, I'm pleased you enjoyed viewing and reading it.

Best Regards

Alf

KEITH

You are so right, I could! And I have every intention of doing so, a combination of experiences and photographs, but not for some time yet. Earning a living really gets in the way of doing what I want to do : - )

Sincere Thanks

Alf

TONY

I must confess I have softened the image considerably, the structure is made of huge concrete blocks, the real shame is that a lot of it has been subjected to vandals and it has graffitti scrawled on it in places. I edited this out of course, but it saddens me that the pepetrators are people have no concept of the meaning this has for so many people.

Thank You!

Alf

HOLGER

Many thanks for your imput, it is very much appreciated!

You are quite right, I couldn't imagine doing it for very long, the two years I spent seemed like a lifetime. I quickly realised though, that this occupation would kill me, either slowly over a number of years of breathing coal dust andt he consequential respiratory deseases that would follow, or by being gassed or crushed or meeting with some such industrial accident. The accidents I can recall are horrific. But to answer your question, yes there will be a book in the future, but not yet, earning a living takes up too much time. But there is a little bit more of my first day above for now : - )

Cheers Holger

Alf

HARRY

Your father must have ben able to relate some great stories too. The mines I worked in would have been comparatively modern, and they were terrible places, I can only imagine what it was like previously. Sincere thanks for stopping by Harry I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

Best Regards

Alf

CHRISTAL

Good to hear from you I hope you are keeping well.

I have added a another section of the story above, chape 2 : - )  which basically takes t to lunch time, but I have missed so much out!

It is indeed part of my next writing project, but it will be in the form of a book that consists of images and stories that relate to my own experiences as a photographer and way before!  I don't have time to start the book in earnest, but I keep compiling small snippets that I will eventualy peice together, and hopefully it will all make some kind of sense : - )

It is interesting to note your own experience of a mock coal mine the lasting impression it made, I know that I have the most vivid memories of the time I spent underground, and particularly those first impressions. I think it would be an uphill battle to try and convince young people about the heroes as you have mentioned. But maybe your own experience is something we  should learn from, in as much as even a mock contruction of a coal mine gave you an unforgettable experience. maybe we should consider a mock battlefield, or mock landmines, and mock building fires to impress on our younger generations the harsh realities our unsung heroes face on a day to day basis.

Sincere thanks for your well considered and thoughtful feedback.

Kind Regards

Alf

RAJAT

Many thanks for your interest and kind words, there s a bit more to read above.

Best Regards

Alf

BEN

Thank you for taking the time to look, read and comment, much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

DAVID

Glad you enjoyed the story and the image mate, theres a bit more been added to the story above.

I have a lot of freinds in the Selby, Goole and York area's and most of them are either related to someone or know someone that was a coal miner.

One visit down the pit is usually enough for most people :- )

Many Thanks Dave

Alf

JORG

Thanks for your vivit and feedback Jorg, much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

JIM

I have to admit I have edited the image to get rid of graffitti and unwanted lines to a degree that I wouldn't normally consider, but to leave them would have detracted from the image so much as to spoil the effect I wanted.  Many Thanks for your invauable feedback Jim!

Best Regards

Alf

HOLA JOAQUIN

Sincere Thanks for your kind words and comments, very much appreciated.

Un cordial Saludo,

Alf

An awesome image, superbly composed, and elegantly presented in B&W Very well done Alf!

All the best,
Neil

Hi Alf,

You are a wonderful writer - I used to teach English, the U.S. kind. It's too late right now, so I will have to go back and read the last part of your story in detail. Your experiences in the mine are life-shaping. You really should consider writing and publishing a piece on all of this.  Ethereal is a good word to describe this most unique image.  It's also other-worldly.  I like the composition and the clouds and how you created the heavier terrain on the right side, nice artistic balance.  And, keeping the image low contrast really adds to the mood.  It's also telling that you signed the image at the top as the clouds, face, and light move the eye upward through the image.  I'd print this and frame it. What is your present career?   Best to you.  Larry 

Hi Alf,
I too want to congratulate you on your photo. The personal and evocative experiences in the narrative you provided with it add further interest to this. I wasn't at all familiar with Jaume Plensa's 'Dream', nor do I know much about mining, so I read your personal descriptions with great interest. (& and having boys of similar ages to yours when you went down under, I can identify with the hardship you endured...) I agree that you should put your mining experiences into writing; not only for yourself and your children, but also for others to read. Two years under the Earth like that must provide enough material for a very interesting read.  I just looked up a bit more information on the statue itself and how it came about; it looks like it was met with some controversy at its inauguration...  As for your photo, Alf, it seems to really capture the slight 3-dimensional aspect of the statue, and its ethereal feel... ( as far as I can see, having looked at the Dream web site, not having actually seen myself ( yet ;-) Your upward angle of shooting and portraying it against the clouds (it almost appears to be emerging from the clouds..), in combination with your choice of a softer B&W, bring this out very elegantly. Indeed, this would look very beautiful and fitting on 'The Dream' web site as well... (I'm sure that they would be delighted to have your version of 'Broken Dream' depicted on it ;-)
Kind regards to you & best wishes for a great 2012, Marjolein

the photo - rather high key, white head of the statue and the sky are a powerful contrast of your work deep down in the mines, covered by coal dust and hardly seeing any light at all.

Your narrative is indeed exciting to read (reminding of Emile Zola's "Germinal") - I'm living near Ruhr area in Germany which also has had a long tradition in mining - so I can relate very well to your experiences - though it's probably impossible to imagine real conditions unless you experienced them on your own.

cheers, Wolfgang

Beautiful image and 'Tribute' Alf. Your narrative, as other's have said, 'book worthy', although I've always recognized you as an excellent 'wordsmith', you truly know how to tell a 'story' and keep the reader's attention.

Amazing isn't it? You share a 'sliver' of your life (although not a sliver to you, re the impressions and memories that stay with you forever, and 'just below the surface'. But in sharing this 'sliver', you have brought about a 'following' of others who share in the 'mining experience' or have recollections of the mine itself.

I would think anyone who ever went down into the 'mines' - wherever they are located, would surely 'connect'. Each day, entering the 'bowels of the earth', not knowing if you would return to the surface, the many wives and family members waiting at home for the 'return' of their 'loved one'. Every day beginning with a 'question mark', I cannot imagine living that way. My closest experience would be my husbands' career as a Police Officer, a man who was always to work long before the shift, and returned home at alomost the 'precise time' each day.

If he was late, anything over 10 minutes, my heart raced and I'd be on the phone. If it was SERIOUS and the force knew he would not be coming home for a few hours, I always got a phone call. And you DREADED the phone call. "Hello Mrs. Harmer, this is the Durham Regional Police Department......" they didn't give you details of what he was 'needed' for, just that he'd be home later. At times he would call and let me know if he was assigned a 'Special Duty' and they were usually ones that could be dangerous.

Or, it could be an 'accident' and your thoughts would be filled with concern for the 'victims'. Suicides were among the toughest, especially if young teenagers. These I found out about later. I don't know how he ever faced the many tragedies, or dealt with the memories. And of course there would always be a 'court date' that would follow months later.

The one time he was 'attacked' was just a short time before he was to retire. That was the time I got the 'knock on the door'. "Are you Mrs. Harmer?" Then your  heart plunged and mind swirled, every word seemed like an Eternity. Thankfully he was alive, and not severely injured. It took an Emotional toll on us both however.

Everyday beginning and never really knowing if they would return home safe. You could not 'dwell on it' and I'd imagine the same would be for the 'miners' families, or you'd go 'crazy'. But these are professions where a conscious decision is made to 'do the job'. So many towns especially in the U.S. and I am sure it is similar all over the world, where they are 'MINING TOWNS', and that is the 'life' of most of the residents. If you wanted to feed your family, you had/have no choice but to go down into the mines.

On our recent trip to Myrtle Beach, we were trying to make 'good time' coming home and stopped at a 'reststop/Welcome Centre', I'm pretty sure it was in West Virginia. There was a Memorial for the Miners that had perished, in the 1980's I think. The Memorial was on the very spot of the 'disaster'. I wished I could have stayed longer to read more. Inside the Rest Centre there was a list of the Miners lost, glass encased mining gear, etc. I was saddened to think that it had occurred only a few decaded ago, and I had not remembered. At that time I made a 'mental note' to be more attentive to such events, knowing the magnitude of 'anguish' that would touch the families involved.

Your story has had me 'searching' the Internet to find just where we had stopped. Thankyou Alf for sharing your experience with us all, rather sobering and makes one reflect on our own job experiences, perhaps my worst was not so bad at all.

Respectfully yours, Gail

It's all been said. Absolutely beautiful. Your extensive efforts were well rewarded...as it should be.