Site of Birley East Colliery in operation from 1907-1988. Used by the NCB as a training centre. Used as a Pumping Station from 1977 to 1988 (http://www.nmrs.co.uk/yorkshireminesb.htm -accessed 13 Dec 2005) Late twentieth century mapping shows a large spoil heap covering much of this area, cleared by 1999, currently regenerating as scrubland. Fragmentary legibility of coal mining history. Earlier mapping shows enclosed strip fields either side of the wooded steep sided valley of the Shire Brook (also a historic parish boundary).