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The Undermanager
This is the story of the fictional Undermanager Mick Gibson. At the age of sixteen he began working for the National Coal Board. The then Chairman Sir Derek Ezra had recently presented the 1974 Plan for Coal. An industry with a secure future. A job for life he was told. After working in the Lancashire Coalfields for the first thirteen years he was appointed Undermanager at the last remaining colliery in North Wales - Point of Ayr. It was a whole new life for both himself and family.
On the 13th October 1992, the President of the Board for Trade Michael Heseltine announced there was no market for thirty one of Britain's fifty operating collieries. The pit was to close in March 1993. The date of the announcement was seventeen years to the day he'd started with the Coal Board. The story is set against the background of the coal mining industry after the 1984 strike. Characters in the story are fictional but many of the incidents and daily occurrences at the mine are real.
On the 13th October 1992, the President of the Board for Trade Michael Heseltine announced there was no market for thirty one of Britain's fifty operating collieries. The pit was to close in March 1993. The date of the announcement was seventeen years to the day he'd started with the Coal Board. The story is set against the background of the coal mining industry after the 1984 strike. Characters in the story are fictional but many of the incidents and daily occurrences at the mine are real.
309 pages, Hardcover
Published November 28, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 10, 2021
Brilliant read
One of the most enjoyable and informative books about coal mining have read .have learnt so much and a very interesting book. Highly recommended.
One of the most enjoyable and informative books about coal mining have read .have learnt so much and a very interesting book. Highly recommended.
December 26, 2020
Gritty Stuff!
Coming from a Lancashire town which itself has local mines mentioned in the book I found this very honest account of life in the pits particularly towards the catastrophic end, absolutely fascinating. My Grandfather broke his back, and most other bones, underground at Bickershaw Colliery. My wife's Father did 44yrs at Bickershaw as the Colliery Carpenter. One of my best friends moved to Point of Ayr as a Mechanical Engineer. I feel sure that Michael's Mr Richards (Denny) could well be my mate! This is an absolutely must read for anyone who remembers pit life and pit communities. The characters are real as are the often sad situations. The last days of this hugely challenging business were at times comical with the govt, in my view intent on closing the one industry that had caused the then govt a great deal of worry from a union that had held them to account. Well done Michael!
Coming from a Lancashire town which itself has local mines mentioned in the book I found this very honest account of life in the pits particularly towards the catastrophic end, absolutely fascinating. My Grandfather broke his back, and most other bones, underground at Bickershaw Colliery. My wife's Father did 44yrs at Bickershaw as the Colliery Carpenter. One of my best friends moved to Point of Ayr as a Mechanical Engineer. I feel sure that Michael's Mr Richards (Denny) could well be my mate! This is an absolutely must read for anyone who remembers pit life and pit communities. The characters are real as are the often sad situations. The last days of this hugely challenging business were at times comical with the govt, in my view intent on closing the one industry that had caused the then govt a great deal of worry from a union that had held them to account. Well done Michael!
January 13, 2021
Having worked in the mining industry (Coal & Industrial Minerals)for 45 years I could not wait to read this book. I was not disappointed, the book really reflects the way the Mines were managed , the sense of humour comes through in parts of the book which for me was such a great part of working underground and made the job so enjoyable most of the time, and everyone looked out for each other. It was also a very dangerous place to work and this is highlighted in the book. I am not a regular book reader, but i look forward to the next book and exploits of Mick Gibson (The Undermanager)
May 22, 2021
This was a great read for anyone connected or interested in the mining industry. Michael manages to convey the day to day challenges of the coal mine in the context of pit closures and privatisation. The humour and camaraderie of the industry comes through, as does the brutal management style. As a person who worked in the mining industry all my life in a number of positions, including as Undermanager, I can fully relate to the experiences depicted in the book including the stresses on the family life. I look forward to the next book.
January 13, 2021
Fantastic read
Being an ex colliery official l can fully relate to this very true to to life book. Having said that, Michael has written in a way that the none mining fraternity would have little problem in understanding and in many respects relate to their own workplace experiences.well done Michael and l await your next penning.
Being an ex colliery official l can fully relate to this very true to to life book. Having said that, Michael has written in a way that the none mining fraternity would have little problem in understanding and in many respects relate to their own workplace experiences.well done Michael and l await your next penning.
January 2, 2021
Great read for anyone who has a mining heritage
A well written account of life in a different time when coal was king. The language and pictures it creates took me back to my childhood and conversations with my father.
A well written account of life in a different time when coal was king. The language and pictures it creates took me back to my childhood and conversations with my father.
February 6, 2023
Interesting account of the last years of British coal mining. It was particularly interesting to me as Ron Groves was my Uncle!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews