Whats Gray’ner than Gray’n? – Moorgray’n: Moorgreen Colliery closure 35 years on.

“What’s Grayn’ er than Grayn – Moorgray’n!” was the local dialect saying which translated means “What’s Greener than Green – Moorgreen!” Thirty-five years ago, on 19th July 1985, Moorgreen Colliery, the last Eastwood pit, closed after one-hundred and twenty years. Along with the nearby Pye Hill Complex which was to close a few weeks later, it brought deep coalmining on the old exposed coalfield of the Nottinghamshire /Derbyshire border to an end.

The closure in July 1985 marked an ‘End of an Era’ for the town, the last Eastwood pit, and the event coincided with the centenary celebrations of DH Lawrence’s birthday a few weeks later. A special commemorative plate was produced to link the two events. 

Click here to read David Amos’s blog on the East Midlands Mining Heritage website.