![]() |
Bersham Colliery, Rhostyllan, Nr. Wrexham.
The Bersham Coal Company sunk a colliery called Glan-yr-afon on this site in 1864. It was then left idle for six years until 1871 when Messrs. Barnes and Company who deepened the shafts to reach the Main Coal seams reopened it. No.1 upcast shaft, diameter 10ft., 420 yards deep, No.2 12ft. diameter, 421 yards deep. Coal production began in 1874.
After 1879 the Bersham Colliery Company Ltd owned the colliery.
In 1880 an underground explosion claims the lives of nine men among them the manager.
They were; William Pattison. Manager, (left a widow and two sons). Joseph Matthias. Fireman, (widow and seven children). Edward Owen. Fireman, (widow and family). John Jones. Fireman, (widow and large family). James Roberts. Fireman, (widow and eight children). Thomas Evans. Collier, (widow). Evan Parry. Collier, (widow and six children). Robert Lloyd, Hooker, (widow and large family). Henry Valentine, Pitman, died of his injuries days later, (widow and children)
From the Inspector of Mines list 1896, Bersham Colliery Co. Ltd. then owned it and there were 711 men employed at Bersham Nos. 1 and 2 pits.
By 1908 the workforce had grown to 848 and to 878 in 1918.
In 1909 another accident kills a number of men.
Later it came under the ownership of Broughton & Plas Power Coal Co. Ltd., who held it until 1922, when the ownership reverted to the Bersham Colliery Company Ltd.
From a list 1923, there were 808 men employed, producing from the Main, Quaker and Two Yard seams.
In 1936 the colliery was again taken over by the Broughon & Plas Power Coal Co. Ltd., who retained control over it until nationalisation in 1947.
In 1945 there were 800 men employed.
The pithead baths were opened in 1954.
Bersham's 770 miners were producing 1,100 tons daily from the Ruabon Yard and Queens seams in 1971.
Bersham closed in December 1986.
![]() |
Bersham around 1997.