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The Shropshire Coalfields like many throughout the country, had it's share of accidents and tragedies. Meadow Colliery and its fellow mines
belonged to The Coalbrookdale Field, whilst the County also produced the mineral in great quantity from the Oswestry area,
including the Ifton Colliery, the County's biggest.
By way of its very nature, Mining came through its learning process at a great cost, but also produced a sincere and genuine community spirit amongst
most inhabitants. Madeley was a prime example of where people helped people, not just their neighbour. Inter community rivalry existed, none more
so than with the good folk of Dawley. To this day "The Locals" have, "a kind of" Respect, for Dawley Folk. But the District's continued
regeneration and New Town "belonging" has been a progressive step that to this day, has not assisted the retention of the Community Spirit
of Old.
Attempts to Unite all communities in modern day TELFORD continue, but the Old and the New, swelled by Multi Nationals whose roots are elsewhere,
has presented a new learning process, just as difficult if not more so, than the experience gained at great cost throughout The Industrial Revolution.
The Area has a justly proud history and throughout that period, The People made it work and when needed came together with common aims and
objectives.When The People decide.....They Unite, Madeley folk and their neighbours together. It happened in yesteryear, and it happens on The
Eve of the New Millennium.
Old Broadsheet is believed to have been a Dawley Man, who had no boundaries when it came to helping one and all, in their hour of need.
It is written that he composed numerous Ballads about Life's events during the Victorian era. This enterprising character published his efforts and
raised untold sums of money to assist the bereaved, by selling "His Words" of their personal grief, usually relating to a Mining Tragedy.
The Gent may well have used his talents to raise funds for families in Dawley itself, which was the scene of another major
mining tragedy, eight miners lost their lives at the Springwell Pit in 1872 when they were ascending the shaft.
The victims are buried in the Dawley Parish Churchyard.
In his own way, Old Broadsheet inadvertently "got one over", the folk of Madeley, a Dawley Man helping! sic,....History shows,
Madeley got their little piece of "revenge" in the Ribauld stakes.....Dawley's claim to fame......Captain Webb
The Dawley Man, Captain Webb from Dawley, may have lived there when he swam the English Channel, but he Grew Up in
Madeley.
Modern Day "Old Broadsheets" still ply their ample skills in the Community, and the People continually prove they can be relied up on, if and
when needed. The Community of Telford has reached its 30 year mile stone since its formation as a New Town in 1968, named after the famed
engineer Thomas Telford, it was not the first time Madeley was connected with him, The Parish Church "St Michael's" was one of
Thomas Telford's projects in the 1700's.
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