Take a look at Colliery communitys past

More than 300 photographs depicting village life in a former coal-mining community are on show to the public.

The fifth exhibition by the Ollerton Of Yesteryear group opened on Monday in the theatre foyer at the Dukeries Complex.

The exhibition, which runs until August 28, features pictures from a 70-year span marking the community spirit and history of Ollerton Colliery, which first struck coal in August 1925 and closed in February 1994.

The exhibition has three central themes — Ollerton Colliery, beauty queens, including the Ollerton Coal Queens, and the town’s football teams.

The group chairman, Irene Miller, of Station Road, Ollerton, said: “I think the exhibition has got off to a great start. We have had more visitors than last year.

“It is nice to be able to produce something after a lot of hard work.”

The exhibition was opened by Mr Bob Bradley (72) of Mansfield Woodhouse, who worked at Ollerton Colliery for 15 years as chief surveyor and is now a local historian.

He was grateful to those who provided photographs and he hoped people would continue to do so.

“I hope the work we have started to do here will last forever,” Mr Bradley said.

“I want to encourage young people to take an interest in their town’s history and ensure that the work we have done here will live on.”

One of the photographs is of Mr Danny Tryner (67) of Hawthorne Drive, New Ollerton, who worked at the colliery for more than 20 years.

The photograph shows Mr Tryner with his band, Ricky Satan And The Devil Men.

Mr Tryner was the drummer. He said: “I have great memories of playing gigs in the town.

“I remember playing at Ollerton picture house, the miners’ welfare, and at a pub called the Bluetit.

“One night we supported a band called Shane Fenton and the Fentones — and Shane Fenton went on to become Alvin Stardust.”

Another photograph shows Mr Ernest Wass (82) of New Hill, Walesby, who ran the general stores on Rufford Avenue, New Ollerton, with his wife, Mrs Freida Wass (81) for ten years.

Mr Wass worked in the trading office at Mansfield Colliery before setting up the shop.

He said: “I think this is a fantastic exhibition and it is good to be able to contribute and be part of it.”

A wall is devoted to the Ollerton Coal Queens. The queens were chosen at a dance every year. Their fathers or husbands had to be a miner, and candidates had to be over 16.

Copies of the Ollerton Yesteryear Book — a 125-page collection of photographs and personal accounts — is available at the exhibition and costs £8.

A DVD called The Story Of A Pit Village costs £2.50.

The exhibition is open from 10am-5pm Monday to Friday and 10am-12.30pm Saturdays.