Mining Wheel Memorial Wall

Purchase a Brick Slip on the Mining Wheel Memorial Wall

Coal mining was first recorded in the Biddulph Valley in the early 17th century.

Robert Heath came to the valley in 1857 and created the Biddulph Valley Coal and Iron Works.

The coal productivity of Victoria Colliery (known locally as Black Bull) provided the main source of employment in Biddulph from 1860 to 1953. In 1908 it employed some 1,110 men and boys. By 1953 it had a workforce of 1,580 men and boys.

By 1977 the workforce had reduced to 600, but still had a lasting effect on the economic life of Biddulph until its closure on the 28 July 1982.

The balance wheel from the base of the Victoria shaft was unveiled outside the Town Hall on the 3 December 1983 ‘as a reminder of the debt owed to the mining industry, upon which the development of Biddulph so greatly depended’ and now Biddulph Town Council is offering the opportunity to purchase an inscribed brick slip, which will be installed on the Mining Wheel Memorial Wall on the new Town Hall frontage.

Our proposed visual of the re-developed area is shown below, showing the mining wheel raised up onto a plinth, with walling where the brick slips will be affixed, facing the public square.

The commemorative brick slips are a unique way to memorialise and honour individuals who played a part in Biddulph’s mining heritage. If you’re interested in purchasing a brick slip, please complete the application form and return it to Biddulph Town Council.

Each brick costs £25.00 and can be paid for by cash, cheque or bank transfer (BACS).

What is a ‘Brick Slip’?

Brick slips are specially manufactured tiles, which when installed give the appearance, colour and texture of a real clay brick wall.

How it Works – Design Your Inscription

Your brick slip should contain a name only and a maximum of 16 characters per line including punctuation and spaces. Characters include all letters, numbers, punctuation marks and blank spaces found on a standard English keyboard.

The name will appear in upper and lower case and be automatically centred.

Please read all of the terms and conditions before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like some advice, please contact us on 01782 498480.

Publication of Individual’s Information to the Town Council’s Website

As there is only room on each brick slip for an individual’s name, we’d like to publish more information about their involvement in North Staffordshire’s mining industry on the Town Council’s website.

Therefore, please provide a brief description, such as shown in the examples below:

George Henry Shufflebotham

Born 9 October 1896. Home address 92 Craigside Biddulph. A miner at Victoria Colliery. Later employed at Chatterley Whitfield as a safety and training offer. 

 Margaret Stanway

Born 14 March 1924. Employed in the kitchen at Victoria (Black Bull) Colliery as a cook.

 These are not factual records.

Terms and Conditions

• All brick slips remain the property of Biddulph Town Council. Payment received from the applicant(s) is treated as a donation. Funds will be used for maintenance.
• There are a pre-determined number of brick slips in the memorial wall and they will be sold on a first come, first-served basis.
• The closing date to apply for a brick slip is the 31 July 2024. Biddulph Town Council reserves the right to extend this deadline if brick slips remain available to buy.
• Only one application per individual will be approved. Our aim is to ensure that the option to provide a brick slip is available to a wide range of people. Therefore, multiple applications in memory of the same individual will not be granted.
• Each remembered individual must have a connection to mining in North Staffordshire, this doesn’t mean they must have been a miner to be included. Each application will be considered based on the information provided.
• Inscriptions should be the name of individuals only – not companies, clubs or societies. Biddulph Town Council reserves the right to approve all lettering and to refuse any application considered unsuitable. In such cases the council has no obligation to cite a reason, the application will be declined and a full refund will be offered.
• Biddulph Town Council will have complete control over the location and installation of the brick slips.
• Biddulph Town Council guarantees to maintain the wall for a minimum of ten years.
• Biddulph Town Council reserves the right to move or relocate the brick slips without liability.
• The brick slips may become worn or damaged over time owing to natural causes. No liability can be accepted for this by Biddulph Town Council.
• The Town Council accepts no liability for damage to any memorial brick slip from vandals or third parties.
• Biddulph Town Council accepts no responsibility for incorrect names.
• Details of each individual commemorated will be published to the Town Council’s website, if consent is received from the applicant and will therefore, by in the public domain.
• The Town Council will keep a record of applicants and their contact details in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations. It’s the responsibility of the applicant(s) to provide the Town Council with updated contact details in writing.
• This scheme is not designed to provide an income for the Town Council. The cost of the provision of memorial brick slips has been kept as low as possible to ensure that it is not cost-prohibitive. Payment is required with every completed application form.