Woman and children walking in old pit village

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 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

Hebden Bridge exhibition review

A great review for the After the Coal Dust exhibition at Hebden Bridge April 2022 “It’s unusual for us to approach exhibitors whose work we have seen elsewhere, sometimes because we’re too busy but also because we get so many artists approaching us and we are spoilt for choice. When we saw After the Coal…

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Goodbye Yorkshire, hello Tokyo

When we started with the street photos we didn’t really think they’d be of interest to many people at all, at best one or two local people might be able to relate to them. For one thing quite a lot of people really hated the photos (and us for doing it!) and also the pictures…

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Photography Exhibition – Hebden Bridge

Everone is welcome to come along to the opening night of our latest exhibition at Hebden Bridge Town Hall on the 1st April 2022 at 6pm. There’ll be the chance to have a chat with us and more importantly there’s a cafe and bar open 😉 Details on the exhibition venue website

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A new After the Coal Dust Exhibition for 2022

They will feature a selection of photographs taken by Bridget and me in a new exhibition at Hebden Bridge Town Hall from March 28th to April 25th 2022. Hebden Bridge is well worth a visit irrespective of the “After the Coal Dust” event (although why not time your stay to take in the photos?). It’s…

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