Exhibition Label Text: After the Coal Mines Act of 1911, pipes , matches and other smoking related objects were forbidden in mines where there was a risk of gas explosion. This was due to the danger posed by naked flames and sparks. Mine officials were authorised under the same act to search miners before they went underground. The collective name for these forbidden goods was ‘contraband’. Possession of contraband was a very serious offence, for which a miner could lose his job.
Bowl end of clay pipe with image of shield on one side. w: 2.5 x h: 1.6 cms.
Digital image on Keeper’s computer – S:/Keeper/MyPictures/Exhibitions/DisplayNewVisitorCentre. Taken December 2003.
Clay [tobacco ?] pipe, broken. Bowl end only. Note attached:- ‘Found 3ft down in trench at NW corner