VILLAGE HISTORY

The Parish now known as Elmton with Creswell began as a medieval settlement .
Elmton being recorded in the Domesday Book commissioned by William the Conqueror, but
if Creswell existed then it would have been a small outlying hamlet or farm.
The open field system surrounding Elmton commenced to break-up and became "enclosed"
by the Lords of the Manor, Clergy and other Overseers. Elmton didn't grow much in fact hasn't
done so over the past 150 years, but Creswell might have become a small hamlet in the Creswell
valley consisting of yeoman farmers.
In 1722 an Estate Map shows what this post medieval settlement may have looked like with
buildings spread along the valley and a nucleus of buildings at the southern end of the village
around an open space called Creswell Green, part of which is now known as Fox Green.
Further development of Creswell took place in the 18th century in response to the construction
of a turnpike road ( today A616 ) along the valley linking Chesterfield and Mansfield.
In 1854 the Duke of Portland acquired the Rodes estate in Elmton and Creswell resulting in
a significant development of Creswell Village. Over the next 40 years comprehensive improvements
to the estate followed with further development of the enclosed landscape, new farm houses,
improvements of Elmton Church and at Creswell a school and church. By 1894 Creswell had grown
into a hamlet of 30 - 40 houses set in open countryside alongside the Chesterfield - Mansfield
turnpike. The Midland Railway was constructed west of the hamlet in 1875 and the Beighton branch
of the Lancashire, Derby and East Coast Railway was constructed a little further west in 1886/97.
The overall effects of these changes was to bring about a profound change in the relative
importance of the two settlements of Elmton and Creswell between 1841 and 1881. The population
of Elmton remained largely static at just over 200, whilst that of Creswell grew from 222 to 300.
Over the next two decades it was to rise to over 2000.
Between 1894 and 1900 North Eastern Derbyshire was transformed by the Coal Industry and
associated increase in population and housing.
The Bolsover Colliery Company was formed in 1894 and trial sinking in Creswell began in
the September of the same year. A good seam was found and coal turning commenced in 1897.
Constuction of the Model Village in Creswell began in 1896 on land purchased from the Duke of
Portland and the Village was built to provide cottages for the colliery workforce. It was designed by
Percy B. Hiughton according to the principles of the garden village movement. Covering land to an extent of approx. 10 acres, the Model Village consists of 250 two storied houses built in the form
of a double octagon (an inner and outer circle). Within the inner circle is a large green on which is
an artistically designed band stand . The Village and Green are bisected by a road which leads
directly to the large Miners Welfare building. The architect Percy B. Houfton was one of the leading
exponents of this garden village approach and Creswell Model Village may have been his first
scheme.
Creswell Model Village is probably the best surviving early example of the garden village
principle as applied in the coalfields, if not nationally, then in the East Midlands.
After completion of the Model Village, Creswell began to grow. New housing was constructed
along the Northern side of Elmton Road and shops and services along the North East side. Other
historic buildings of note include Creswell Drill Hall built by Bolsover Colliery Company in 1903- 04
to provide recreational facilities for the Creswell Boys Brigade. During World War 1 the building
was converted to a Military Hospital, after which it retained its name Drill Hall but served the
community as a social centre until 1976 when it was taken over by the Parish Council and took on
its new name Creswell Social Centre.
The cinema in Kings Street burnt down during the 1930's and a new one was built on Elmton
Road at the corner with Welbeck Street. This is now used as a Bingo Hall.
The former Methodist Church on Mansfield Road with adjoining schoolroom and rectory
built circa 1900 made an important cotribution to the street scene.
The heritage significance of the village core is greatly enhanced by the fact that the buildings
are of a high standard design and constuction, reflecting the concerns of the Bolsover Company
and the patronage of the Duke of Portland - the schools , churches, Model Village, Miners Welfare,
Social Centre, the original shop fronts 12-16 18-20 28-30 Elmton Road (circa 1907)
Both Village Greens - Elmton and Creswell Fox Green are now registered " Village Greens"
owned by the Parish and managed by the Elmton with Creswell Parish Council. Their purpose to
provide recreational and exercise facility for members of the parish is goverened and protected by
The Inclosure Act of 1857, and Commons Act 1876
The population of the Parish has seen prolific growth from its 18th century total of 500, to
2,000 in 1900, 6,450 in 1971. When the Creswell Colliery closed in 1991 and new housing became
available in nearby Whitwell, the population dropped to 4,820 . With new housing at Elmfields and
Markland, also the restoration of the Model Village the population has increased to over 5,000.

CRESWELL COLLIERY DISASTER TUESDAY 26th SEPTEMBER 1950

The Situation At The Time Of The Fire

The fire in the 339 yard deep High Hazel Seam at No.2 transfer point on the south west district, approximately one mile from the pit bottom, started around 3.45am Tuesday 26th September 1950. At this time 232 men were underground, of these 133 were employed in the south west district beyond the scene of the fire. Of these 53 escaped via the return airway. Some of these men would have been on their way out of the pit having completed their task. The workmen would have to travel up to two and a half miles to the pit bottom, which included a walk up a 1 in 6 hill. The remaining 80 lost their lives having died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The Cause Of The Fire

A score two thirds of the way through 5.5 inches from its edge and for 500 yards length of No2 conveyor belt had been reported on the afternoon shift. It had been intended to repair the damage between the afternoon and night shift but the repair was later cancelled. Further damage to the belt resulted in the damaged piece of belt building up in No2 chute. The torn belt heated up and caught fire due to friction caused when it came into contact with the moving No2 belt head roller.

Firefighting

Only a few extinguishers were available at the scene and due to a pump failure the water supply was very poor. Extinguisher and stone dust were transported to the site but were of little use. Water pressure was later restored but the fire was too extensive to be of any use.

Warning Men Beyond The Fire

This was almost impossible. There were only ten telephones on the south west district, but attempts were being made continuously. The telephone exchange was built in the return airway and had to be evacuated when poisonous fumes affected the telephone operator. By this time there would not have been any survivors in the return airway.

Building The Seals

It was decided after air samples showed that there was no chance of anyone surviving that the district would be sealed off. This would extinguish the fire by starving it of oxygen. Whilst the preparations were being made to erect the stopping, rescue teams wearing breathing apparatus travelled the return airway and recovered 47 bodies. On March 25th 1951 a further 27 bodies were recovered and the final 6 were recovered on the 11th of August 1951. Dedicated men carried out the whole exercise with no thought for their own safety