Photographs of post-industrial Britain
In 1984, the Yorkshire area had a total of 56 collieries. Today there are none left. The last was Kellingley Colliery which closed on Friday 18th December 2015 signalling the end of coal mining not only in Yorkshire but in Britain as a whole. Other major industries in the UK (such as steel, textiles, and car manufacturing) have seen a similar decline.
The “After The Coal Dust” photographs taken by Bridget and John Gill together with their daughter Freya show life in the former industrial towns now that the industries have gone.
Unapologetically honest, and in some cases tinged with humour, this collection of photographs document another important chapter in the story of Britain’s post-industrial heritage.
Imogen Holmes-Roe
Curator of Art & Photography National Mining Museum for England
See the Photos
Latest News
Photograph Exhibition at Queen’s Mill, Castleford
A selection of photographs by Bridget and me from our After the Coal Dust project will be exhibited at the Queens Mill Castleford from October 2nd to October 18th 2021. There’ll be around 40 prints on display and the exhibition opens as part of the ‘Trouble at t’ Mill’ Literary Event on October 2nd. I’ll…
After the Coal Dust Book Review
We just wanted to share a review of the ‘After the Coal Dust’ book by the acclaimed Italian novelist, screenwriter and documentary film maker, Francesca Melandri. Many people will be aware of her ‘Letter from the Future’ that spread globally last year. It’s been a long time since I wanted to talk to you about…
Two Mining Poems by Stuart Bailey
Stuart Bailey has been kind enough to send us a couple of his poems relating to the local collieries. WHELDALE DISASTER It was there at the Wheldale Colliery, Castleford Two seams of coal were being worked in that mine They were the Beeston and the Silkstone Seams As the miners started work that day…
After the Coal Dust Book
The After the Coal Dust book will be available from the 1st October. It will feature over a hundred photographs by John and Bridget Gill as well as a few short, written pieces. The book will be available as a 30cm x 30cm hardback or 20cm x 20cm hardback, both featuring 130 pages on 200g/m2…