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A heapstead is the name given to the building and surface works around a colliery shaft.
It consists of a flat topped bank raised above the level of the surroundings and carries the headgear for the winding rope sheaves, the decking equipment used for loading and unloading the cages (or skips), tracks for carrying tubs/mine-cars to and from the shaft, tipplers for emptying the tubs/mine-cars, and conveyor systems for transporting run-of-mine coal and dirt to the screens, washery or tip.
The shaft side was usually partially enclosed around the shaft side to provide protection from the elements and, in the second half of the 20th century, it was the general practice to enclose most of the heapstead itself. In the case of the upcast shaft, during much of the 19th century, they were not used for coal winding and only a simple cover was used to seal the shaft top. After the turn of the century, where upcast shafts were being used for coal winding, an airtight building was constructed around the shaft top and was fitted with air-locks to allow the passage of coal, men and materials.
Running below decking level, there were structures such as passageways carrying pipe-work and cables to the shaft or for supplying warm air at the downcast to prevent freezing in the winter.
Both the North and South heapsteads at Pleasley were originally built with retaining walls constructed from the local stone. Some of this walling still remains at the North heapstead but virtually all of the original South heapstead walling has been either built over or removed over the years and only a small section remains visible.
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