From this part of the Hall the pit’s winding gear –

now defunct, of course – is clearly visible

above a line of oaks and beeches

a mile or so across fields and hedges.

A narrow coal seam was opened up

nearly a quarter of a mile below,

and subsidence, now fixed, cracked the chapel walls.

Visitors note the different shades of plaster,

and that the stained glass windows were undamaged –

then stroll among flower beds, along

espaliered walks, across well-tended lawns

loud with children’s cries. Hundreds of yards beneath

are abandoned tunnels, unworked coal seams.