Success Level

1841  john Trotter, Theophilus Trotter, James Thomas, William Whitworth, Nathan Atherton, Joseph Priestley and William Crowdy, trading under the firm of Trotter, Thomas & Co. and known as the Valletts Level Company to Success Level, to the north-east wing of Endeavour Level and to the land side of Birch Hill Folly Level known as Winnall or Upper Success Level.

1 March 1841  Success Level: Messrs. Trotter, Thomas & Co.  High Delph.
Raised by: A Level
How disposed of: Lydney Railway
Daily quantity raised: 24 tons
At 300 days annually: 7,200 tons
Amount per ton including royalty: 8d.
Amount annually: £240 0s. 0d.
Buildings: A dwelling, carpenters shop, smiths shop and lodge.

6 September 1858  Trotter, Thomas & Co. applying to make tramway to level at Footrill (sic).

27 March 1859  Branch had been made and in use some years!

6 August 1878  Reuben Joynes, Coleford.  Permission saught to work barriers between Birch Hill Folly and Success.  Not granted.

March 1881  Success & Endeavour.  The owners have worked out coal to north-east.  Small pillars to remain to suppoert the Severn & Wye.

Working discontinued since June 1881.  Colliery to be forfeit.

1886  Appears to be worked out.

April 1889  Forfeit.

16 February 1906  Application for re-grant made 12 April 1889.  Meeting for re-grant to be held 3 March 1906.

12 February 1909 'DFM' Applicants meeting at Speech House.  'Joynes some time at Union Colliery'.

19 Jan 1915 The Secretary reported the receipt of a letter from Messrs G H Jones and B H Taylor of Boxbush Road, Coleford, stating that as owners of the Success Colliery situate at Fetter Hill near Coleford, it was their intention to develop the colliery, and that they would be working the coal lying across the valley underneath the line at Fetter Hill. The question of the steps necessary to be taken in the  protection of the Committeeís interest is under the consideration of the Mining Engineer.

18 Jan 1916 The workings of Success Colliery have been inspected by Mr Arthur Lawrence, the Great Western Companyís Mining Engineer, who reports that the parties are about to work the Trenchard seam, which is a thin one at a depth of about 40 to 55 yards, which will probably result in a depression of about 1 foot and that the proper course is to keep the workings under observation, the line in the meantime is being closely watched.
 Mr Grierson estimates the cost of maintaining the railway against this subsidence for the area comprised in the notice at about £70 and in these circumstances the matter is following the usual course i.e. the line is being maintained against the workings.