1 / 4   Meet Neil Brittlebank, an 83-year-old man who’s on a mission to keep British coal mining history alive through an unusual hobby, collecting bricks. /VCG Photo

2 / 4   He reportedly became interested in the pastime in 1984 when coal mines were closing and he thought it would be a shame to let the bricks go to waste. VCG Photo

3 / 4   The brick enthusiast now proudly amassed 350 bricks over the last 35 years, some of which belong to old coal mines and some have been donated to him by strangers who are fascinated by his commitment. /VCG Photo

4 / 4   Although many think it’s a dull hobby, he thinks it’s more important than it’s made out to be, for the bricks serve as a witness to part of British industrial history. /VCG Photo