APPLICATION OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMP

Within a radius of 5 miles from the centre of Ashington, there used to be 30 collieries or pits. Ashington was the largest, employing nearly 4,000 men in the years following the Second World War. As the seams became unworkable, they all closed.

What then of the proud tradition of the mining community? Where will it be possible to see the conditions under which the men, boys and even women toiled in the good old bad old days.

As a rule, the remains of the collieries and pits are nowhere to be found as the land was immediately reclaimed for other purposes, indeed in the latter years it was almost with indecent haste that the shafts were filled and the headgear removed for scrap. It was as if the authorities were ashamed of what they had asked men to do and wanted all evidence removed from the face of the earth. There was however one exception. In 1984 a small colliery near Ashington called Woodhorn, brought its last load of miners to the surface and the place was prepared for demolition. The silent headgear was a reminder of past glories, or possibly a gravestone to the thousands of men women and children that lost their lives needlessly in the mines of yesteryear.

The winding engines and shafts remained in use until 1985, as they were required to pump water from Ashington Colliery, until it too closed on 1st October 1986. A few of Woodhorn Colliery's buildings were demolished i.e. the pithead baths and lamp cabin, but it was decided to preserve the remaining buildings as a mining museum. Woodhorn Colliery Museum opened in 1989 and is currently attracting 40,000-50,000 visitors per year.

When you first enter the museum, every effort is made to give the impression of entering the workings of the mine, as it was prior to closure. There are plenty of tools and machinery along with the every day sounds of a working colliery.

On display at the museum is a collection of paintings by the Pitmen Painters. They were a group of Northumberland miners, who in the 1930.s founded a local art group. In those days there was no spare money for oil paints and canvas and if the choice was between bread on the table or some watercolours, then food took priority. Not to be beaten, they used materials that were at hand such as plywood instead of canvas, and household paint, which was plentiful and cheap when bought and shared round the group. Their work is displayed at the Museum, and it is really quite excellent. It is not described as ?oil on canvas but Walpamur on hardboard. The majority of these unique paintings depicts everyday life in the community and as such is invaluable as a historical record.

Clippie and proggie mats were only to be found in the North East of England as far as I am aware, and were a method of recycling woollens by cutting them into strips and making mats from them. The art has all but disappeared but at the museum is a group who meet and make these mats every Thursday and Sunday. You are more than welcome to watch them at work and will even be invited to try your hand at this fast disappearing craft.

A fire in a barn containing several hundred tonnes of organic hay and straw is expected to burn throughout the night at a farm near Chichester tonight, Monday 11th September. West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was called to Copse Farm, off Tangmere Rd, Tangmere shortly after 7pm and mobilised four fire engines from Chichester and Bognor, plus a water carrier from Littlehampton. The barn measuring 40m x 20m was completely involved in fire by the time they arrived and could be seen for miles around as darkness fell. Pumps were increased to six to ensure a good water supply as firefighters concentrated their efforts on protecting surrounding buildings from radiated heat and flying embers.
The attendance is expected to be scaled down overnight but firefighters will remain in attendance as they allow the fire to burn down under control.
There are no reports of any injuries and an investigation is under way to find out how the fire started, but arson has not been ruled out at this time.

Photos by West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service
Written by Paul Archer