Visit to Orgreave Opencast with Yorkshire OUGS, 11 September 2004 - many thanks to Karl for organising the trip, and to Simon for giving us such an informative and interesting visit.

First view - what's beyond that black hill? We stopped to have a look down - it's a long way!
Approaching the site A look down into the void
You can see the lines of the coal seams - very black! The size of the operation was awesome
The "coaling" side of the site - High Hazel seam at bottom, other seams worked include Beamshaw, Kilnhurst and Two Foot Seam This side is being backfilled and restored; the old tip is also being dismantled and washed
Removing overburden and removing coal Bob for scale
Several operations going on at once Clear lines of coal seams in the "wall"
Pipes going up are from pumps at the bottom of the void Coal seam at right of picture
Backfilling taking place on the left "Smile" - Seadog takes a group photo
They look small, but look how tiny the driver's cab is! Loading up the coal lorries
The line of the "old" ground level near the top Good view of the fault, middle of photo
We were all impressed by the efficiency of the operations I have a similar helmet at home -
Steady stream of plant, very well organised It's me, proving I was there!
New, clean river bed - village behind Not quite on the same scale as at Gascoigne Wood, of course!
River Rother - 800 m length was moved Washing plant
When it's all over, nobody need ever know this was an opencast site Back past the plant garage
Restoration going on - village in distance Back to base to look at the plans 
Aerial photo of how the site was when the coke works was here Future plans for housing and local amenities
This is how it was - - this is how it will be

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