The Last Miners

Documentary following the workers at Kellingley Colliery in North Yorkshire, the last deep coal mine in Britain, as it prepares to close. The programme joins workers on their commute to work - dropping over 800 metres below ground before taking a paddy train for four miles to the coalface. As temperatures rise to 33 degrees, it is a hostile and dangerous environment to work in, but their black humour is never far from the surface. A number of mechanical breakdowns put them behind schedule, which is a worry for the last members of the management team working above ground on bringing the closure in on target. Just when everything looks like it is back on track, an unexpected incident causes alarm for everyone.

Kellingley Colliery in North Yorkshire was the last deep coal mine in Britain. In the final week before its closure, a new BBC One documentary tells the story of the men who prepare for their last ever shifts. Follow the story of miners Sheldon, Jonesy, Kev and Jack through the last few days of cutting, as the last piece of coal is cut and the machines are switched off for the very last time. Above ground emotions have been running high as they say goodbye - not only to each other but also to a way of life which has supported them for decades. Now they all face an uncertain future, but their spirit and resilience means that they refuse to be left on the scrapheap. Some adapt easily to their new life above ground, as others find it a struggle to re-adjust and find new employment. Will they secure themselves a future beyond the pit? Or are they always going to be miners at heart?