CHILDREN in the "forgotten village" of Gin Pit, Astley, play on rat infested slag heaps because there are no other play areas, reported The Journal in August 1971.
Several pit shafts in the "playground" were still open with children exposed to further danger because they walk along a path beside a 40ft deep ravine on their 1.6 mile route to school, claimed parents.
They could take a longer route and walk along a busy main road. There is no school bus service.
Pictured are the residents' committee (left-right) Mr and Mrs F. Stubbs, Mrs M. Croft, Mrs K. Robinson, Mrs J. Ormrod, Mrs L. Webb and Mrs Oxenhelm.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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