MINERS CHECKS - MOTTIES
There were several types of checks, also known as "Motties", used in the mining industry and each had a specific use. Almost all mining checks were made of either brass or aluminium.
THE PIT CHECK
The one most people know about, and are avidly collected, are the "Pit Check" discs. This was the miner's ID tag to allow him to draw his pay from the pay office each week. These were made of brass with the colliery name displayed on them. Each colliery had its own shape & design - Bestwood Colliery and Babbington Colliery both belonged to the BA Collieries Company and both had octagonal checks. Gedling colliery used a round check. Stamped into the check would be the miner's clocking in number. Without this ID check a miner would not get paid for his shifts so it was kept secure and never left his possession.
THE PIT CHECK
The one most people know about, and are avidly collected, are the "Pit Check" discs. This was the miner's ID tag to allow him to draw his pay from the pay office each week. These were made of brass with the colliery name displayed on them. Each colliery had its own shape & design - Bestwood Colliery and Babbington Colliery both belonged to the BA Collieries Company and both had octagonal checks. Gedling colliery used a round check. Stamped into the check would be the miner's clocking in number. Without this ID check a miner would not get paid for his shifts so it was kept secure and never left his possession.
THE OTHER CHECKS
Other checks or Motties were used as part of a safety system for monitoring who was underground at any time, in case of emergencies.
The basic system works like this:-
Having changed into his pit gear the miner would get his clock card and "clock in". He would then hand his card into the Lamp Cabin Attendant and receive two brass checks with his personal ID number on them but each a different shape. He would then get his cap lamp from the self-service rack and proceed to the pit top.
Other checks or Motties were used as part of a safety system for monitoring who was underground at any time, in case of emergencies.
The basic system works like this:-
Having changed into his pit gear the miner would get his clock card and "clock in". He would then hand his card into the Lamp Cabin Attendant and receive two brass checks with his personal ID number on them but each a different shape. He would then get his cap lamp from the self-service rack and proceed to the pit top.
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As he entered the cage to descend he would hand one of his two checks to the Banksman and keep the other on his belt. When all the men on that shift had gone underground the Bankman would return all the collected checks to the lamp cabin as an account to show who had gone below.
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When a miners shift was over he would come to the surface in the cage and hand his second check to the Banksman as he left. When the "Manriding Draw" was complete the Banksman would return all these checks to the lamp cabin to show who had left the mine. By comparing the checks in the lamp cabin it was possible to identify any unpaired checks which represented men still in the mine.
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The miner would then return his lamp to the charging rack and retrieve his clock card to "clock out" before he went for his shower and made his way home.
