27/05/2026
Behind every station, museum, and railway experience at Swanage Railway are the incredible volunteers who help keep our heritage alive.
Meet Brian Biles, a volunteer at Purbeck Mining Museum, whose own experiences working in the clay mines make his stories and knowledge truly unforgettable. From working underground in the 1960s to now sharing Dorset’s industrial history with visitors, Brian’s journey is a fascinating insight into the people and industries that shaped Purbeck.
Read his story below.
Volunteer Stories – Brian Biles volunteer at Purbeck Mining Museum.
From the moment I was invited to take part in Channel 5’s Dorset Coast & Country, my journey with Purbeck Mining Museum began and what a journey it has been.
For the past three years, I’ve proudly volunteered two days a week, sharing stories and experiences with visitors. It’s something that means a great deal to me, as mining has been a huge part of my life.
I first went underground in 1964 at just 17 years old. Over the next 15 years, I worked in several mines, including Greenspecks, Aldermoor, East Holme, and North Trigon. I spent nine years at Creech Barrow Mine, where everything operated on a piecework system where your pay depended entirely on what you produced.
A typical day would see two men extracting between 15–20 tonnes of clay, earning around £10–£15 between them. It was hard, physical work, but it built a strong sense of pride and teamwork.
Today, I love meeting people from all different backgrounds and sharing those experiences. It’s especially important to me to help the younger generation understand what people had to do to make a living back then, and how the industry used to run.
Volunteering here isn’t just about looking back; it’s about connection too.
I really enjoy the social side of volunteering and have found the team at the museum are incredibly welcoming, and it’s a great place to be.
If you’re interested, the museum is currently looking for front-of-house volunteers. Come and be part of keeping this history alive.
For more information on the roles available email: [email protected].
