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© 2007 Silksworth Heritage Group.  All Rights Reserved
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This web site is maintained by ds.webuild@ntlworld.com  Last updated 08/03/2007
Silksworth Colliery
Silksworth Pit was sunk in 1869 as Lord Londonderry’s prize Colliery.  Pithead baths opened in 1934 and the pit was further modernized in the fifties.  The National Coal Board had come into being, mechanisation improved and miners enjoyed better conditions.  A new conveyor, able to carry 200 tons of coal per hour, had been fitted in 1948.
A new washery replaced the dry cleaner and a new lamp room, time shop and fitting room were added.  New electric winders replaced old steam ones and the shaft was deepened to the Harvey seam.  A medical centre was opened in 1956.  The Sunderland Echo described it as a ‘showpiece colliery’.  It had great reserves of coal and was expected to have a long life expectancy.
Life revolved around the pit – everyone relied on coal fires, and coal was essential for transport and industry.  Shift work was the norm – first shift (early hours), back shift (daytime), night shift (early evening) and tub loading at 10pm.  Buzzers rang, the caller went round knocking up miners for first shift, and miners trudged up and down to work – there was little transport! – Silksworth was truly a mining area.
Sons followed their fathers and grandfathers into the pit because there was little alternative.  War years had produced a great need for this vital commodity.
The pit flew the flag when targets were reached.  Miners, their families and friends walked proudly behind the banner on Durham Miners Gala day.
On past sad occasions, the banner had been draped in black, in memory of miners killed in the Pit.  Accidents were reduced as underground working was made much safer.  Many miners suffered from chest ailments through their work and later were able to claim compensation for this. Generally, the miner’s life improved through the fifties, wages increased – the Unions called a successful strike with improvements, but a later second prolonged strike proved of no avail and the pits closure could be foreseen.  Silksworth was facing change and challenge.
Miners used the pit baths after shifts, but they had been open to boys on Friday nights at a small sum for a hot shower, - this was a luxury to those without a bathroom!  Prior to this, it was tin baths in front of the fire!
The Pit canteen was kept busy between shifts serving meals made on the premises with fresh meat and home-grown vegetables – no frozen food!  Mrs Peggy Irvine, (of Tom Urwin House), who worked there said that ‘savoury’ pie was the most popular!
Managers, under-managers, engineers, overmen, deputies, shot-firers, fitters, hewers, putters, electricians, plumbers, pit ponies and their keepers, and surface workers – all played a part in the working of the pit.  The pit offices paid wages out on Fridays and working there was considered good employment – especially for the women.
Miners gathered for the meetings in the Miner’s Hall in Blind Lane – it was common to hear the caller with his crake shouting ‘There will be a meeting.... in the Miner’s ’all at ‘alf past 10’ on Sundays’.  This very large building was later sold and became a bingo hall.  This once majestic building, built in 1893, is now in a poor condition and is a sad reflection of its past history.
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1926
 General Strike