In a revelation that has stirred former mining communities, a BBC investigation has found that 27 social welfare sites across England, including four in Staffordshire, have been sold off over the past 14 years, generating £12.2 million. These sites, originally funded by miners’ earnings, were intended to serve local communities, but the majority of the proceeds have gone to the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO), a national charity.
Communities in Kidsgrove, Rugeley, and Stoke-on-Trent have expressed frustration over the sales, arguing that the funds should be reinvested in the areas that historically contributed to them. CISWO, however, has stated that it cannot allocate funds to specific regions, as it operates on a national level.
Loss of Local Assets
Among the sites sold was the Chatterley Whitfield sports ground in Stoke-on-Trent, which brought in £2.5 million in 2021. Additionally, the Pear Tree Youth Centre in Rugeley was sold for £500,000 in 2020, both later redeveloped into housing estates. The former tennis courts at Lea Hall Miners Welfare Centre in Rugeley were also converted into residential properties after being sold for £393,176. Similarly, the Kidsgrove Central Youth & Community Centre, originally transferred from British Coal in the 1990s, changed hands for £225,000 in 2020.
Residents argue that these facilities, many of which had been closed for years before their sale, should have been refurbished rather than sold off. They believe that the revenue generated should be used for local development, rather than being absorbed into CISWO’s broader welfare initiatives.
CISWO’s Response
CISWO, established under the Miners’ Welfare Act 1952, was created to provide support to mining families and communities across the UK. The organization has defended its actions, stating that it has distributed over £58.8 million in aid over the past 14 years and continues to provide financial and social support to former miners and their families.
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A spokesperson for CISWO emphasized that while the charity does benefit from land sales, it does not keep all the proceeds, as debts and costs associated with each site must first be covered. Additionally, the organization is legally required to maintain a portion of its funds as investments, ensuring long-term financial sustainability for its programs.
In response to concerns over reduced welfare payments and support services, CISWO cited rising costs and a decline in the number of individuals seeking assistance. It stated that its focus has shifted to evolving community needs, with a broader range of support initiatives now in place.
A Growing Debate
The controversy surrounding these land sales highlights the broader issue of how funds tied to former mining communities should be managed. Many affected residents feel disconnected from decisions about the assets their communities helped build.
“This land was paid for with miners’ hard-earned wages,” said one local resident. “It should belong to us, and if it has to be sold, that money should come back to our community—not disappear into a national fund.”
As more former welfare sites continue to be sold and redeveloped, calls for transparency and local reinvestment are growing. Whether CISWO will adjust its policies in response remains uncertain, but for many in these communities, the sense of loss is undeniable.
