Speedwell Newbridge

173-  Speedwell, near Tresser Mill in Ruardean Hill.

1835 MJ p 25 New Bridge Pit and Speedwell New Level, for sale.

1835 p 44 [ditto,] ì were bought yesterdayî.

1837 (2) p 17 Coal Work called New Bridge for sale, consisting of Water Pit galed to High Delf.  Land Pit 30 yards deep.

1841  Samuel Baker of Gloucester to six equal tenth parts and William Frankis of Gloucester, a merchant, to four tenths.
Coal in the Hill Delf vein lying in the land of the Speedwell New Bridge Level under Ruerdean and Harrow Hills.

29 July 1862  Mr. St. Patrick agreeing to new galeage rents on Speedwell New Bridge, also Prosper and Road Level.

F3 582
At the end of 1881 Mr. Goodrich Langham of Coleford took a lease of the west wing of the Speedwell Newbridge Colliery.  Proceeded to open same with assistance of advances made by Mr. Richard Searle of Newport and in February 1885 owing to representations made by Langham that the colliery was then open and fit to put out coal Mr. Edgar Hayden Searle, son, was induced to enter into partnership - formed Langham & Co.
Difficulty of ventilation - drove airway to disused Ruardean Hill Pit - said to be on gale.
Colliery then worked for three and a half years, output increasing and exceeding 13,000 tons in 1889.
Towards the close of 1890 Mr. T.B. Brain, owner of pluckpenny claimed Ruardean Hill Pit on his gale - blocked it up by building a cover.
Disagreement between partners in Langham & Co.
Pluckpenny Level was aimed at Ruardean Hill Pit but missed on the crop side - failure to drain.
Speedwell Colliery.

5 February 1890  Messrs. Langham & Co. application to burn coke.

2 July 1890  Langham & Co. Speedwell Newbridge Colliery.

16 December 1892  Dissolution of partnership Goodrich Langham and Edgar Haydon Searle, trading as Langham & Co.

14 December 1893  Searle leased west wing to Langham.  Partnership had been dissolved in 1892.  In January 1893 Searle had purchased Pluckpenny from Mr. T.B. Brain - leave to work barrier.  Laid down additional siding accommodation, screens etc. to meet estimated output which had for some time been past 4,000 tons a month.  Langham the owner of the east wing was trying to interfere - wanted money for the coal in barrier.

Langhams interest in Speedwell East Wing and Prosper.
June 1916  Leased to Albert Jones.

11 September 1916  Langham & Browning to A. Jones.

See Harrow Hill Colliery above

COAL17 247
3 July 1945  Newbridge Engine No.4  Conveyance J.W. Fox, H.R. Corin, F.G. Bowkett & W.R. Ellsmore to Ronald George Meek.