Last days at Big K
In 2015 I received a phone call from a London based film company asking if I could work with them and produce the stills for a major documentary, called. 'The Last Miners' to be shown on the BBC. The title of the film is not exactly accurate, as there are still a hand full of coal miner working in the UK. But Kellingley in north Yorkshire, was the last deep coal mine to work in the UK. It was known as the 'Big K'.
I was allowed full access, both on the surface and underground; the only photographer to have this privilege. It was my twenty forth coal face to film or photograph. I felt uncomfortable working on this assignment, as I have done previously when photographing a pit is closing and men losing their jobs and working with their comrades. The miners were incredible though and believed in the importance of my work to capture them. 
These are a small selection of photos from my book 'Last days at Big K'. It sold out within weeks of publication.


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​Warning : all photographs are strictly copyright Roger Tiley. Illegal use without permission can be tracked by an ID number. An invoice will be issued.