Penallta Colliery

In 1947, the mine was nationalised as part of the governments post-World War II regeneration scheme, and became owned by the National Coal Board. Investment was made, and in the late 1940s a Meco-Moore Cutter Loader was installed, one of the first power loaders to be used in British mines, and as a result the Minister of Fuel and Power Hugh Gaitskell made a visit in December 1949.[2] The colliery formed a rugby union club in 1952 called Penallta RFC, and in 1954 produced 500,000 tonnes of coal.[3] During 1960 the shafts were extended to reach 800 yards as part of a scheme, which also included electrification of the shaft winding engines.[1]

But access to coal was becoming more difficult, and by the 1970s only 700 men were producing 210,000 tons yearly from the Lower Nine Feet and Seven Feet seams - both 20% of the figures at the height of production. The colliery survived the 1984-1985 miners strike, and made impressive gains in production after the return to work.[3] It was closed by British Coal on 1 November 1991 with the last shift led out by a brass band.[1] It was the last deep mine working in the Rhymney Valley.[3]

Breaking the Mould at Parc Penallta by Andrew McKeown

In 1996, a vision for Penallta was put forward by Caerphilly County Borough Council, in partnership with Groundwork Wales and various local community, statutory and voluntary agencies. Stage 1 of the project converted 180 hectares of derelict land into Penallta Country Park. Stage 2 created more access, through the installation of a bridle path and cycle tracks, and a stone footpath.

To complete redevelopment of Penallta, the council developed a business park on the site, and have now agreed a development project which will result in a housing estate on part of the site, whereby the listed building status of the headgear of the two shafts are proposed to be part of a pioneering housing development scheme.

Several of the colliery buildings and structures are Grade II* listed, including the colliery baths, engine hall and the pit's headframe.[4]

The pit pony sculpture, constructed from the spoil tip.

A 200 metres (660 ft) artwork, Sultan, created between 1996 and 1999 by Mike Petts, commemorates pit ponies. It uses 60,000 tons of coal shale waste, covered with living grass.[5] The artwork was named by local people, after one of the last pit ponies from the area, which was still living at the time.[5]