“Bait Time” by Robert Olley. South Shields Museum, England

Twenty minutes mid shift was the allotted time for bait (in other areas it was called “snap”) when all the machinery was stopped. This was no picnic with fairy cakes or fancy biscuits. Spam or jam “door step” sandwiches washed down with tap water from a rusty tin water bottle were the order of the day. In earlier times the sugar content of the jam was the only way to quickly boost energy levels. Fancy chocolate bars were unheard of.

Smoking underground was a serious offence with severe penalties.

Many miners would substitute the craving for a smoke by chewing tobacco or inhaling snuff, both of which could be purchased from the canteen. Snuff (ground tobacco leaves) was usually placed on the back of the hand or held between the thumb and index finger then “snuffed” into the nostrils to give a short hit of nicotine and a lasting menthol flavour. Chewing tobacco was also a substitute for smoking. An inch long piece would be placed between the cheek and gum, or between the teeth, then crushed but not swallowed, to release the bitter flavour of nicotine. Unwanted “baccy” juice was then spat out. Uncle Jeff Fine Chewing Tobacco or Rubicon Twist were the most common brands.

Object description
Type: Easel painting
Location: South Shields Museum & Art Gallery, Tyne & Wear
Material: Oil on canvas
Artist: Robert Olley (b. 1940)
Date: 2018

Image details
Date: 25 September 2025
Camera body: iPhone Xs
Lens: Wide Camera 26mm ƒ/1.8
Focal Length: 26mm
Aperture: ƒ/1.8
Shutter Speed: 1/50s
ISO: 200
Licence: Image of a North East Museums asset. This image cannot be licensed.