Plaque to mark mining firm's history and impact

A blue plaque is to be unveiled to honour a Wakefield engineering company's contribution to the mining industry.

Wakefield Civic Society is behind the commemoration of manufacturing firm British Jeffrey Diamond.

The firm was established in Normanton in 1897 and expanded to produce a range of mining machinery, operating at Stennard Island, on the edge of the city centre, and at a site in Flanshaw from 1902.

The company moved to purpose-built premises on a 27-acre site at Thornes in the 1960s but production ceased in 2000.

The firm was founded by Sir William Garforth as the Diamond Coalcutter Company but changed names after merging with US-based Jeffrey Manufacturing Company in 1926.

As demand for coal mining products dropped, the firm's closure saw staff made redundant and the firm's assets sold.

In 2001, as part of the sale, the firm's crushing division was bought by a newly-established company, BJD Crushers, and a number of staff were re-employed.

BJD Crushers was later acquired by Wakefield-based Group Rhodes in 2024, and the name British Jeffrey Diamond, has since been re-registered with Companies House.

A Friends of British Jeffrey Diamond group continues to operate on Facebook and the idea for the blue plaque was suggested by former employee Carole Walker, who contacted the civic society.

Society president Kevin Trickett said the idea was first mentioned to the group two years ago.

"We discussed the matter, and I'm pleased to say that Carole was able to secure all the necessary permissions and, together with support from local councillors, we were able to obtain a grant from Wakefield Council's community grants scheme to cover the costs associated with the plaque and the unveiling event."

The plaque will be unveiled at Wakefield Exchange on 4 March.

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