Pits of Durham and Sunderland.

[John]

North East Durham Area. (1947)

Boldon.
Harton & Westhoe.
Heworth.
Hylton.
Ouston "E".
Ravensworth "Ann".
Ravensworth "Betty".
Ravensworth "Park Drift".
Ravensworth "Shop" "G".
Ryhope.
Usworth.
Wardley.
Washington "F".
Washington Glebe.
Wearmouth.
Whitburn.

[martinfbrown]

Hi,
i have just found and joined this forum. Name is Martin, located in Jarrow, Tyneside. I served my apprenticeship as a fitter at Boldon Colliery, from 1969. I notice that you have Boldon spelt as Bolden, the correct spelling is Boldon. It is quite often spelt this way,don`t know why.
Regards
Martin

[John]

Well hi Martin, welcome to the group.
I'll correct that spelling, I got the list from the DMM site, so the error was theirs.

[martinfbrown]

Hi,
Hope you did not mind me saying about the incorrect spelling of Boldon. I often see it spelt that way. I actually belong to Boldon Colliery. the Don in the name Boldon refers to a small stream called the Don on which Boldon lies. I have found this to be a very interesting forum. I only found it by chance. I was looking for information on the AB 16 coal cutter, as I worked on these a lot at Boldon.
Martin

[John]

martinfbrown said:

Hi,
Hope you did not mind me saying about the incorrect spelling of Boldon. I often see it spelt that way. I actually belong to Boldon Colliery. the Don in the name Boldon refers to a small stream called the Don on which Boldon lies. I have found this to be a very interesting forum. I only found it by chance. I was looking for information on the AB 16 coal cutter, as I worked on these a lot at Boldon.
Martin

Hell no Martin, if anyone finds a mistake, I hope they bring it to my attention. I'll bet there are tons here I missed!

The cutter or shearer Martin??

[martinfbrown]

Hi,
It was the AB16 Coal Shearer. I have looked around the forum and noticed that a few members still have the little blue book about the AB16. I also still have mine, and also my notes when I was an apprentice. I also have the little book on the BJD Magnamatic Shearer, but I did not have that much working experience on the BJD.
Martin

[John]

Wasn't keen on the Magnamatic, we had a couple at Cotgrave, then worked on the motors in outside industry. The motors were prone to shaft failure for some obscure reason. Clean shear near the bearings. Both ends were prone. I don't recall whether they overcame that problem, but it was never as popular as the 16/125 or the 200hp model.

[martinfbrown]

Hi,
I am finding this forum very interesting. While I was an apprentice, we did a little work on the Magnamatic. I cannot actually remember if Boldon Colliery had any BJD, not while I was there anyway. Hope you don`t mind, but the correct spelling for Westhoe is Westoe. It would be interesting if there were any other members of the forum from the North East.
Martin

[garryo]

Hi Martin

just to note that I am originally from Durham however a little to the West of you near the Stanley area.
I worked at Beamish Mary, Marley Hill and Morrison Busty among others.
If you want any info re the West Durham pits just post a message and I will see if I can help

Regards

Garryo

[pitsparky]

Hi Martin and garryo,

I am from Seaton Delaval in Northumberland, Martin did you ever know a girl from Boldon Colliery called Elsie Smith? I went out with her a few times, her Brother Alec Smith was a deputy at Boldon,

Her friend was Doris Waters from East Boldon and they were both hairdressers.

garryo, did you ever know Brian Harrison who was a fitter at Marley Hill, He later worked as a shift Manager in the computer centre at British Steel Redcar when I was an Engineer for Rank Xerox.

I sometimes used to go for Lunch at the Beamish Mary Pub when I was working on Team Valley, what a great theme pub, done out as a pit Electricians shop.

I used to go with a guy who was also a pit electrician from Heworth, he was called Gordon Taylor.

I used to work at Seaton Delaval, Burradon and Seghill Brickyard for a six Month Secondment Helping to install a new crushing Mill.

regards Malcolm.

[garryo]

hi pitsparky

Have not posted for a while owing to moving around.
Getting back to the Beamish Mary pub, or the Red Robin in my younger days, it used to have the Mary pit banner displayed in the singing room but it went walkabout as they say in Australia to every one who worked at Beamish disgust.
Yes the last time I was in the pub (about three years ago) there were a couple of old meggers lying around including a "Wee Megger" and quite a few photos of the "Mary" including an interesting one showing the changeover from steam winding to electric with the new skip plant circa 1955. The skip winding installation was one of the earliest in Durham after Herrington and possibly Boldon.
I also worked at Marley Hill and can vaguely remember a fitter called Harrison.
If you are interested in collieries in the Beamish-Stanley area their is a good book called the "Collieries of Beamish" which covers the area including Marley Hill, Kibblesworth, Morrison Etc.
Copies can be obtained from Beamish Museum and the Bookcase in Chester-le-Street

[mickyrod]

Hi All,

This is my first post - My Dad was a Bevin Boy and carried out his training at Annfield Plain. However, I would love to find out what pit he was sent to after training. Does anyone know if it is possible to find this out?

Many Thanks,

Mick

[John]

Have you taken a look through his old papers Mick?? He should have authorizations issued by the Manager of the colliery to perform certain jobs, ie authorization to operate rope haulages, loco drivers tickets, to operate a coal cutter etc etc.... Worth a try looking, other than that I don't know.

You might just try the NUM, they may have a list of past members and the lodges they were members at....