Mining

Pit communities are always affected by the closure of pits in their areas.

The closure of Highley pit was announced on Wednesday 6th November 1968 because it was suffering losses. Below are the headlines that appeared in the Shropshire Star, telling people in Shropshire that the date set for the closure of Highley pit was Friday 13th December 1968.

Many of Highley's miners were over 55 and unable to get any future employment in the local area. For the miners of Highley, the Christmas of 1968 was not a happy one.