Description: Princess Margaret arriving at the colliery site to officially 'cut the first sod'. Cotgrave pit was only sunk in 1964. It had millions of tonnes in reserves but the coal was not of the highest quality. As with so many collieries, the men were laid off and the pit was put on 'care and maintenance' which meant keeping it free from noxious gases and seeping water so that it could be reopened if the industry picked up. The closure of the colliery in 1993 has had a further marked effect on Cotgrave.