Seething Talcum Colliery Band on Saturday September 11th

Once again there is a chance to join in with madness when the Seething Talcum Colliery Band play again for the first time on over 80 years. You can join the parade or sing along with the Seething Ale Voice Choir. All you have to do it meet outside The Lamb Public House on the Brighton Road at 1.55pm to join in the fun. It will all be over by 3pm

Visit www.seethingwells.org for details

A short history of talcum mining in Seething

There are a number of references to the white stone of Seething that lay ‘undere the surface of the soil’ by the banks of the River Thames. Indeed the carving of the famous ‘White Horse of Seething’ is in part made possible by the underlying hydrated magnesium silicate  or talc. The seams of talcum were made visible in part by the removal of Mount Seething and by river erosion.

It was with the influx of Welsh people escaping the Leek famine of 1753 that the potential of the ‘white seams’ is first noted. Whilst most of the then immigrants from Wales settled around the City, becoming known as the London Welsh, some families moved into villages surrounding the Capital. 

Seething had a long established reputation for welcoming those in need into their community. The Tablet Records of the time note the arrival of the Nog family who were taken in ‘by the Seething Folk as Lefi would have so desired.’

Of the five Nog children it appears that it was the youngest Lily, aged 11, who first began to scrape at the soft mineral and noted its property for soaking up moisture. Shortly afterwards the records mention talc being used in Seething for rudimentary personal hygiene. 

By placing herbs amongst the talc it was possible to create a scented powder. The villagers of Seething in a tribute to the little Welsh girl referred to this sweeter smelling talc as ‘Lily of the Valley’. 

As the properties of Talcum became known there was much demand from the City and from the Royal Palace. As a result the Seething Talcum Colliery Co-operative was established. The mining of talc became a full time occupation for many in the village. The result of this industry and the wealth it offered brought a new influx of people to the area.