Birchenwood colliery, (c.1891-1932). Almost all the coal from this group of pits was used for coke and other by-products. There was an explosion at the No. 18 pit on 18 December 1925 which killed seven men and seriously injured 14 others. Although the pits were closed c. 1932, the company still continued to produce coke and other by-products with coal from the Biddulph collieries. The last coke was made in May 1973.