Cardiff, Penarth and Barry Coal Trimmers
@coaltrimmers.bsky.social
Coal Trimmers at Cardiff, Penarth and Barry docks worked in the holds of ships levelling coal by shovel. This would ensure the coal would not move in transit and cause the ship to list or roll to one side.
Reposted by Cardiff, Penarth and Barry Coal Trimmers
🛠️ Most people today encounter Dunston Staiths as a quiet heritage site. In the 1970s, it was a dangerous place of work.
A new film by Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen and Peter Roberts brings that history back into view → sidegallery.co.uk/blog/coal-staiths-of-the-river-tyne
Commissioned by Tyne Derwent Way
A new film by Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen and Peter Roberts brings that history back into view → sidegallery.co.uk/blog/coal-staiths-of-the-river-tyne
Commissioned by Tyne Derwent Way
January 18, 2026 at 12:53 PM
🛠️ Most people today encounter Dunston Staiths as a quiet heritage site. In the 1970s, it was a dangerous place of work.
A new film by Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen and Peter Roberts brings that history back into view → sidegallery.co.uk/blog/coal-staiths-of-the-river-tyne
Commissioned by Tyne Derwent Way
A new film by Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen and Peter Roberts brings that history back into view → sidegallery.co.uk/blog/coal-staiths-of-the-river-tyne
Commissioned by Tyne Derwent Way
Taking on coal at No 2 Dock Barry.
January 21, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Taking on coal at No 2 Dock Barry.
Coal Trimmers book of secrets.
It was not easy to get a regular Coal Trimming job. That was unless you had a Coal Trimmers book handed down to you. This little black book was the opportunity to work in a regular gang. It was handed down from father to son. Do you have one, if so please share.
It was not easy to get a regular Coal Trimming job. That was unless you had a Coal Trimmers book handed down to you. This little black book was the opportunity to work in a regular gang. It was handed down from father to son. Do you have one, if so please share.
January 16, 2026 at 7:43 PM
Coal Trimmers book of secrets.
It was not easy to get a regular Coal Trimming job. That was unless you had a Coal Trimmers book handed down to you. This little black book was the opportunity to work in a regular gang. It was handed down from father to son. Do you have one, if so please share.
It was not easy to get a regular Coal Trimming job. That was unless you had a Coal Trimmers book handed down to you. This little black book was the opportunity to work in a regular gang. It was handed down from father to son. Do you have one, if so please share.
Coal Trimmers would enjoy a drink or two after a long shift of trimming coal in the hold of a ship. It would wash away the coal dust from their mouths.
January 14, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Coal Trimmers would enjoy a drink or two after a long shift of trimming coal in the hold of a ship. It would wash away the coal dust from their mouths.
Coal Tip Cardiff Docks.
Hydraulic Coal Hoist - not sure of the date maybe 30s or 40s - any ideas?
Hydraulic Coal Hoist - not sure of the date maybe 30s or 40s - any ideas?
January 13, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Coal Tip Cardiff Docks.
Hydraulic Coal Hoist - not sure of the date maybe 30s or 40s - any ideas?
Hydraulic Coal Hoist - not sure of the date maybe 30s or 40s - any ideas?
Built in 1897, the Grade I listed Pier head building was originally the headquarters of the Cardiff Railway Company, replacing the original Bute Dock Company offices which burnt down in 1892. Workers in Cardiff Docks, 1900s © unknown
January 4, 2026 at 10:45 PM
Built in 1897, the Grade I listed Pier head building was originally the headquarters of the Cardiff Railway Company, replacing the original Bute Dock Company offices which burnt down in 1892. Workers in Cardiff Docks, 1900s © unknown
The Pier Head building was where the British Transport Docks Board were. Back in the day it was called the BTDB building. The docks police were also there. 😊
January 4, 2026 at 6:08 PM
The Pier Head building was where the British Transport Docks Board were. Back in the day it was called the BTDB building. The docks police were also there. 😊
Happy Christmas from the Coal Trimmers.
Thanks for all your information, stories and photos this year, it’s been amazing to keep alive the memories.
#coaltrimmersunion #penarthdocks #penarthtrimmers #Coaltrimmers #coaltrimmersunion #penarthdocks #penarthtrimmers #barrytrimmers #grangetrimmers
Thanks for all your information, stories and photos this year, it’s been amazing to keep alive the memories.
#coaltrimmersunion #penarthdocks #penarthtrimmers #Coaltrimmers #coaltrimmersunion #penarthdocks #penarthtrimmers #barrytrimmers #grangetrimmers
December 24, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Happy Christmas from the Coal Trimmers.
Thanks for all your information, stories and photos this year, it’s been amazing to keep alive the memories.
#coaltrimmersunion #penarthdocks #penarthtrimmers #Coaltrimmers #coaltrimmersunion #penarthdocks #penarthtrimmers #barrytrimmers #grangetrimmers
Thanks for all your information, stories and photos this year, it’s been amazing to keep alive the memories.
#coaltrimmersunion #penarthdocks #penarthtrimmers #Coaltrimmers #coaltrimmersunion #penarthdocks #penarthtrimmers #barrytrimmers #grangetrimmers
First it was sail boats and then steam ships that transported coal all around the world.
December 22, 2025 at 9:08 PM
First it was sail boats and then steam ships that transported coal all around the world.
Historical Patent from 1895
Anyone know how to find an old Patent. Have search the patent office online but no luck.
Anyone know how to find an old Patent. Have search the patent office online but no luck.
December 17, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Historical Patent from 1895
Anyone know how to find an old Patent. Have search the patent office online but no luck.
Anyone know how to find an old Patent. Have search the patent office online but no luck.
Reposted by Cardiff, Penarth and Barry Coal Trimmers
#OnThisDay 1917 at 13:15, Cardiff Railway tipper W Smith was injured at No. 3 tip, Roath Dock, #Cardiff, #Wales.
Whilst uncoupling a tip, the spanner he was using slipped & bruised his left shin.
Railway work took in an amazing range of roles.
📷 National Railway Museum
#IWMDHourByHour #IWMD2025
Whilst uncoupling a tip, the spanner he was using slipped & bruised his left shin.
Railway work took in an amazing range of roles.
📷 National Railway Museum
#IWMDHourByHour #IWMD2025
April 28, 2025 at 12:01 PM
#OnThisDay 1917 at 13:15, Cardiff Railway tipper W Smith was injured at No. 3 tip, Roath Dock, #Cardiff, #Wales.
Whilst uncoupling a tip, the spanner he was using slipped & bruised his left shin.
Railway work took in an amazing range of roles.
📷 National Railway Museum
#IWMDHourByHour #IWMD2025
Whilst uncoupling a tip, the spanner he was using slipped & bruised his left shin.
Railway work took in an amazing range of roles.
📷 National Railway Museum
#IWMDHourByHour #IWMD2025
Reposted by Cardiff, Penarth and Barry Coal Trimmers
#OnThisDay 1920 Cardiff Railway night watchman Samuel Davey was injured at Barry graving dock, #Glamorgan, #Wales.
He suffered 'injury to inside & left hand' when he fell on the dockside - but the Company denied it was liable.
#Railway200
📷Britain from Above
He suffered 'injury to inside & left hand' when he fell on the dockside - but the Company denied it was liable.
#Railway200
📷Britain from Above
May 3, 2025 at 8:31 AM
#OnThisDay 1920 Cardiff Railway night watchman Samuel Davey was injured at Barry graving dock, #Glamorgan, #Wales.
He suffered 'injury to inside & left hand' when he fell on the dockside - but the Company denied it was liable.
#Railway200
📷Britain from Above
He suffered 'injury to inside & left hand' when he fell on the dockside - but the Company denied it was liable.
#Railway200
📷Britain from Above
Reposted by Cardiff, Penarth and Barry Coal Trimmers
It was great to welcome our first school group of the new school year today, Yr 6 from St Paul’s Church in Wales Primary, Grangetown.
They visited for our workshop on Coal & the Docks, with a focus on migration stories, and had a peek behind the scenes into our strongrooms. Thanks for visiting!
They visited for our workshop on Coal & the Docks, with a focus on migration stories, and had a peek behind the scenes into our strongrooms. Thanks for visiting!
September 18, 2025 at 1:20 PM
It was great to welcome our first school group of the new school year today, Yr 6 from St Paul’s Church in Wales Primary, Grangetown.
They visited for our workshop on Coal & the Docks, with a focus on migration stories, and had a peek behind the scenes into our strongrooms. Thanks for visiting!
They visited for our workshop on Coal & the Docks, with a focus on migration stories, and had a peek behind the scenes into our strongrooms. Thanks for visiting!
Reposted by Cardiff, Penarth and Barry Coal Trimmers
#OnThisDay 1917 Cardiff Railway tipper ML Boyd was injured at #Cardiff docks, #Wales.
His right ribs were bruised when he slipped & fell against the tip mechanism - hitting with an old wound sustained on war service.
An interesting insight into the return from war.
#Railway200
His right ribs were bruised when he slipped & fell against the tip mechanism - hitting with an old wound sustained on war service.
An interesting insight into the return from war.
#Railway200
July 11, 2025 at 10:26 AM
#OnThisDay 1917 Cardiff Railway tipper ML Boyd was injured at #Cardiff docks, #Wales.
His right ribs were bruised when he slipped & fell against the tip mechanism - hitting with an old wound sustained on war service.
An interesting insight into the return from war.
#Railway200
His right ribs were bruised when he slipped & fell against the tip mechanism - hitting with an old wound sustained on war service.
An interesting insight into the return from war.
#Railway200
Reposted by Cardiff, Penarth and Barry Coal Trimmers
#OnThisDay 1919, at 18:20, Cardiff Railway hydraulic repairer James Payne, was injured.
He was at 20/23 hydraulic engine house, at the docks, #Cardiff, #Wales.
Shovelling coal underneath the wagon, he hit his left thumb against the wagon, cutting it.
#IWMDHourByHour #IWMD2025
He was at 20/23 hydraulic engine house, at the docks, #Cardiff, #Wales.
Shovelling coal underneath the wagon, he hit his left thumb against the wagon, cutting it.
#IWMDHourByHour #IWMD2025
April 28, 2025 at 5:01 PM
#OnThisDay 1919, at 18:20, Cardiff Railway hydraulic repairer James Payne, was injured.
He was at 20/23 hydraulic engine house, at the docks, #Cardiff, #Wales.
Shovelling coal underneath the wagon, he hit his left thumb against the wagon, cutting it.
#IWMDHourByHour #IWMD2025
He was at 20/23 hydraulic engine house, at the docks, #Cardiff, #Wales.
Shovelling coal underneath the wagon, he hit his left thumb against the wagon, cutting it.
#IWMDHourByHour #IWMD2025
Reposted by Cardiff, Penarth and Barry Coal Trimmers
#OnThisDay 1919, at 16:45, Cardiff Railway coal tipper Ernest Scourfield was injured at No.3 tip, Queen Alexandra Dock, #Cardiff, #Wales.
While taking off a chute point piece before it was raised, his left hand was crushed.
He was off work for 15 days.
#IWMDHourByHour #IWMD2025
While taking off a chute point piece before it was raised, his left hand was crushed.
He was off work for 15 days.
#IWMDHourByHour #IWMD2025
April 28, 2025 at 3:01 PM
#OnThisDay 1919, at 16:45, Cardiff Railway coal tipper Ernest Scourfield was injured at No.3 tip, Queen Alexandra Dock, #Cardiff, #Wales.
While taking off a chute point piece before it was raised, his left hand was crushed.
He was off work for 15 days.
#IWMDHourByHour #IWMD2025
While taking off a chute point piece before it was raised, his left hand was crushed.
He was off work for 15 days.
#IWMDHourByHour #IWMD2025
Coal Trimmer George Travers at the back - maybe a few others in the team?
On this day, 120 years ago, a notorious rugby match was played. Nicknamed the ‘Match of the Century’, the Welsh rugby team faced New Zealand at Cardiff Arms Park in front of nearly 50,000 spectators.
December 17, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Coal Trimmer George Travers at the back - maybe a few others in the team?
Coal Trimmers
What the earliest record you have of a dock based Coal Trimmer?
We see census records from 1871 showing occupation as Coal Trimmer - anyone see any earlier?
What the earliest record you have of a dock based Coal Trimmer?
We see census records from 1871 showing occupation as Coal Trimmer - anyone see any earlier?
December 14, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Coal Trimmers
What the earliest record you have of a dock based Coal Trimmer?
We see census records from 1871 showing occupation as Coal Trimmer - anyone see any earlier?
What the earliest record you have of a dock based Coal Trimmer?
We see census records from 1871 showing occupation as Coal Trimmer - anyone see any earlier?
Cardiff Bute Docks.
August 17, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Cardiff Bute Docks.
Barry Docks showing coal hoists
August 1, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Barry Docks showing coal hoists
July 10, 2025 at 8:16 PM