North East of England Mining photograghs.

1

Bates Miners fighting to save their pit. NUM, Branch Chairman Ronnie Campbell ( in the middle of the picture ), was later to become Member of Parliament for Blyth.

2

Marchers include Derek Raffle, Mayor of Blyth, John Ryman, MP for Blyth, Ken Sampey, union President.

3

Ann Morgan 5 years old joins the fight.

4

Sam Scott NUM Area General Secretary at the front of the parade.

5

Bill Smith NUM Branch Secretary at Whittle Colliery, among those parading.

6

Bates Colliery Branch Officials, Treasurer John Whiteman, Chairman Ronnie Campbell, Secretary Alec Turner, and Steve Turnbull.

7

Bates Colliery NUM Committee.

8

Scenes from the Strike.

9

Scenes from the Strike.

10

Scenes from the Strike.

Billy Robe in the kitchen.

11

Scenes from the Strike.

12

Peter Billing after news that Bates Colliery had been saved. Sadly his joy would not last long.

13

The last shift at Bates Colliery.

14

Ken Black clocking off for the last time at Bates Colliery.

15

16

My Nephew Jerry Walton left Bates Colliery when it closed and then worked at Ellington Colliery.

17

Ellington Colliery, E2 JCM panel team. Tony Baggley Undermanager, Mick Sanderson Deputy, with Steve Hargrove, Jerry Walton, Graham Collins, Kevin Smith, David Connor, Billy McIntyre, Dougie McEwan, Steve Wanless.

18

Steve Hargrove driving the Joy 12 CM5 machine nick named, "big bite" 430 metres advanced in one week at Ellington Colliery. 1992.

19

Billy McIntyre and Kevin Smith preparing a junction at Ellington Colliery.

20

Wallsends Rising Sun Colliery. The pictures say it all.

21

22

Vane Tempest Colliery.

23

A miner walking to work.

24

Ashington Colliery.

25

An old Ashington miner. 1880.

26

Thanks to Kevin Richardson for correcting me and providing the following information.

I very much enjoyed looking at your site....brought back lots of memories...but picture number 26 labelled 'Murton record breakers' is actually a pic of the (almost) last 5.am salvage shift leaving Ashington Colliery, a few weeks after the pit shut in 1988. I know, cos I'm the 27 year old lad holding the stair rail with his left hand !

For interest, the reason why we were waiting at the top of the stairs was that we were waiting for the TV and radio people to finish setting up their equipment. The pit manager had agreed to a 'press conference' provided they all turned up at the same time on the same day. Magically, without being aware of the press conference, the late, great Jackie Milburn had also popped along from his house on the nearby estate. He proceeded to shake all our hands whilst refusing to give any interviews ! All this, when he was clearly ill with the illness that was to take him from us only a few weeks later.

27

Dawdon Colliery 1987. Production record breakers.

28

Bardon Colliery. 1973. They were still advertising vacancies on the day it was closed.

29

Lynemouth Coal Preparation Plant. Serving Ellington Colliery.

30

No signs of the Rising Sun Colliery now.