PONTYPOOL GLYN PITS
Pithead Baths
Blaensychan Showers
Miners photographed at the opening of the pit baths, Blaenserchan Colliery
Above photographs courtesy of Glyn Jones
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Although some mines already had pit head baths, it was on the first of January 1947 the mining industry became nationalised and with it came a new way of thinking for most miners. Apart from having a say in his own industry, he was now able to enjoy the use of pithead baths. The pithead baths would also have made a great difference to the women in the home. Now she could manage her house in a completely new way, for all that dust and dirt she had to deal with on a daily basis was now being left at the pit where it belonged.
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Bath Time
Prior to this time, and before miners came home from their shifts work, the women of the house would be busy heating up boilers, kettles, and saucepans full of water in readiness for the miner's bath time. In fact, if there were several miners on the same shift in the house, then the bathwater would have to be shared, for it was time-consuming heating more water on an open coal fire. Even when bath time was over, one could still tell instantly, the ones who had worked underground, for there was some coal dust that could not be washed away. This dust had been trapped beneath the skin, where cuts obtained underground had healed over, resulting in scars that were blue in colour.
Rarely seen these days, the blue scars were mainly found on miner’s arms or faces or even both and indeed was a common sight. The miners cheerfully referred to them as badges that they had earned.
In later years when bathing at home, tin baths replaced the wooden ones, the larger of these meant one could sit in, and which made the task of bathing much easier, but someone would still have to wash the miners back for him. When bath time was over the heavy bath of water was usually carried outside onto the back yard and emptied into the nearest storm drain.
