We spent some time in the museum learning about the clothes miners used to wear and how this has changed over the years.  We even got to try on some of the old helmets, shoes and a donkey jacket. Miner Steve showed us round the old Pithead Baths where we pretended to buy our 7p bar of soap and have a shower after a hard days work down the pit.

We also experienced life down the mine itself. Miner Een was our tour guide.  We made our own 'checks' which had to be handed in on the way down and also on the way back up to make sure we didn't leave anyone behind.  

Whilst in the mine, we got to act out the jobs the miners would have done.  We worked in groups of 3 to collect the coal and transport it further along the mine.  Some of us took on the role of 'Deputy' and got to shout instructions at the others (some of us enjoyed this quite a lot!). 

We got the opportunity to see and touch the last remaining coal seam  in England and said hello to some old pit ponies.

All in all we had an amazing day and the children learned lots of new things ready for our Mining topic after half term.