Maurice the Miner
Maurice is on the train travelling up to Hope pit
Maurice taking part in free family activities
Maurice the Miner with two Morris Minors
Hi I am Maurice the Miner, the National Coal Mining Museum for England’s mascot. I work at the Museum during the school holidays and when events are being held.
It is my job to welcome everybody to the Museum. I also work off-site when the Museum has stalls and stands at galas and shows. It is great to meet all the visitors, many people love to have a photograph taken with me.
I started working as a miner at the age of seventeen at Roundwood Pit before moving to Shawcross and finally working at Caphouse. After a five-year apprenticeship and eight years at college on day release, I became a qualified fitter. A fitter’s job was to ensure that the pit ran smoothly.
The job included machine maintenance, laying rails, installing water pipes, working with other mine workers to advance underground roadways and extending the conveyor belts. Machines would often come underground in bits and have to be reassembled. There was also an underground fitter’s shop.
It was hard work underground as just about everything is large, heavy and dirty.
I have my own Facebook page. I post about events at the Museum, mining facts and information. I am happy to try and answer questions and I enjoy hearing about visitors’ days out at the Museum.