In 1945, the post war Labour Party, laid before the electorate their manifesto that promised to nationalise large sections of Britain's Industrial base. After the election on the 25th of July Labour became the new government. They quickly legislated for nationalisation, of the coal industry; vesting day was to be the first of January 1947.
The North Stafford Mining Federation, at its District Council Meeting held in the Miners Hall, Burslem, on the 16th of December 1946, left the following minute. "VESTING DATE AND PUBLICITY. _That Messrs Johnson (Silverdale), and Whitehurst [(?)], along with Mr Baddeley (Secretary and Agent), be nominated to attend the meeting at Stoke on Wednesday, 18th December 1946, to discuss arrangements with regard to the vesting date and the suggested official ceremonies".
"Celebration of Nationalisation will take place on Sunday January the 5th 1947. Mr H Leason, Lord Mayor of Stoke on Trent, will hoist National Coal Board flag at Sneyd. The deputy Lord Mayor Mr P Williams will be doing the honours at Glebe. Mr W Wingrove Chairman Biddulph Rural and District Council will raise the flag at Chatterley Whitfield, while Newcastle's Mayor, Mr T Brant, will be at Holditch".
Set out the size of the coal industry. There would be some 150 mines (including small mines), plus brickworks, power stations, and water pumping stations, coke ovens, colliery villages, railway sidings, overhead ropeways etc. In the West Midlands that included North Staffordshire there were some 60,000 men employed. On a more personal note, Mr Walter Williams, who worked at Holditch at the time, said when he arrived at the pit on vesting day he was told there was to be a holiday. Mr Williams spent all of his working life in the mining industry and became the Area secretary of the N.A.C.O.D.S. Union. During the early years of the newly nationalised industry the amount of coal being produced was vital to Britain's post war recovery. Hardly a day went by without some reference to it in the local press.
North Staffs Manpower and production figures.
| March 1946 | Feb 1947 | March 1947 | |
| Employed | 20600 | 20800 | 21100 |
| Output Tons | 115500 | 121600 | 128000 |
North Staffs production for last week was 130,764 tons up by 4.2% on 1946.
Miners to be allocated house's based on a points system.
Output for previous week 131562 tons.
Average weekly output for May 1947 120000 tons 4400 tons more than last year. Average manpower 21400.
Output for the month of June 120000 tons, up from 111000 in June 1946
Florence Colliery The cage fell down the Homer shaft?
Output for previous week 123438 tons 6000 tons up on same period last year
Area coal production at 126404 tons was 9913 tons up one same period last year.
Output 11000 tons higher at 127853 than same week last year
Area output w/e 4th Oct 128828 tons 10200 up on last year.
Victoria Colliery output record. In the third week of October produced 10788 tons.
Rookery pit near Audley to close 200 men employed. The pit is some 40yrs old. No date fixed.
Production up 13404 tons at137662 compared with this period last year.
Area weekly output 137637 tons, 12452 tons greater than this week last year.