Loftus Drift.

This is a similar shot to the other image of the Loftus Drift, but taken from farther back. Why the two police officers were present we didn’t know. Sheila Harris suggested: “My guess is that this is a strike. It is unlikely that so many men would be free to pose in any other circumstances. The police would be there to protect the owner’s interests.” However, David Richardson advises: “Outside what was the original main drift into Loftus mine which later became a traveling way when the North drift was opened further up the valley. There are 34 Mine Workers and 2 policemen visible in the photograph and while it is unusual that the police men are with them (maybe because of a strike as has been already mentioned) I have seen at least six different group photographs taken outside this drift so it wasn’t to uncommon an occurrence. In one of these other photographs the group totalled 41.” Perhaps their comments, are the definitive reason for the police being present.

Image courtesy of the David Linton and Pem Holliday Collections, thanks also to Sheila Harris and David Richardson for their updates.