In 1842 a Royal Commission was carried out to investigate the conditions of children working in the coalfields.  Terrible tales of the newly formed mining communities had pricked the conscience of the Victorian Public.  Miners were thought to be unchristian, heavy drinkers with no morals who worked their wives and children in the pits doing back breaking, dangerous work for long hours underground. Commissioners were appointed to visit these coal mining areas to report on hours of work, time allowed for meal breaks, the type of tasks undertaken, conditions in the work place, accidents, holidays, wages, provision of education and moral upbringing. The full report mentions numerous pits (and ironworks) within a five mile radius of Jacksdale.  A true story from each location can be seen below:-

Thanks also go to Ian, Picks Publishing and the Coal Mining History Resource Centre for giving permission to reproduce the true accounts in the table above.  You may visit Ian's site at http://www.cmhrc.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk