Tuesday, March 05, 2013
Woodhorn. Coal mining Museum. Northumberland.
It was a cold, grey day when we went to Woodhorn.
It was not a day for picnics in the country park - despite the attraction of red squirrels having been spotted there that morning.
But we found plenty to keep us entertained.
Woodhorn was for 80 years a working coal mine, close to the town of Ashington.
When the mine closed in 1986, plans were drawn up up for a museum. It has become more than a museum, for it is a huge archive centre for the whole of Northumberland.
It is a facility to be treasured and is very good value. There is a car parking charge of £3 and there is nothing more to pay, apart from any special exhibitions.
The entrance to the museum is striking and in the style of a cutting wheel in the coal mine.
The museum is devoted to the coal miner - his work in the pit and life in the mining community.
An old miner in the pit.
That's my man.
Son and grand daughter
in the mine.
Art by Claire Money.
Painted on an old tarpaulin.
From Derek Slater's sketch book.
The band of Northumbrian pipers played in the cafe.
There are musicians every Friday.
After lunch we explored the original mine buildings - out in the cold.
Some snow flakes falling.
We had to wear hard hats in one building where work was being done.
There was a very deep mine shaft.
To be honest my hard hat was worse than useless.....it fell off at every movement of my head
It was not a day for picnics in the country park - despite the attraction of red squirrels having been spotted there that morning.
But we found plenty to keep us entertained.
Woodhorn was for 80 years a working coal mine, close to the town of Ashington.
When the mine closed in 1986, plans were drawn up up for a museum. It has become more than a museum, for it is a huge archive centre for the whole of Northumberland.
It is a facility to be treasured and is very good value. There is a car parking charge of £3 and there is nothing more to pay, apart from any special exhibitions.
The entrance to the museum is striking and in the style of a cutting wheel in the coal mine.
The museum is devoted to the coal miner - his work in the pit and life in the mining community.
An old miner in the pit.
That's my man.
Son and grand daughter
in the mine.
Painted on an old tarpaulin.
From Derek Slater's sketch book.
The band of Northumbrian pipers played in the cafe.
There are musicians every Friday.
After lunch we explored the original mine buildings - out in the cold.
Some snow flakes falling.
We had to wear hard hats in one building where work was being done.
There was a very deep mine shaft.
To be honest my hard hat was worse than useless.....it fell off at every movement of my head
