7 "Pits" Northumberland

We visit sites that used to be collieries ("Pits") in Ashington area. First up is Woodhorn Pit,and now a museum.This pit closed in 1981. We head North to go past Woodhorn Windmill,that was apparently used more for ships than anything,It was the mile mark,and used for speed trials.It's also at the entrance to where Alcan aluminium smelter was.This closed in 2012.On the right a little further on we see Lynemouth Power station.This used to keep Alcan going but is now one of the most ambitious renewable energy investment projects in the UK. Lynemouth Pit yard is now a caravan storage park. The Pit closed in 1994:We head through Lynemouth passing what used to be a good watering hole 🍺 🍻for the locals but sadly closed now,so it's not just the pits that closed.Moving through Lynemouth the land on the right parrallel to the road was the railway line,and it was sunk down a bit.There was also a Railway bridge that has been pulled down.Keeping going the scrap yard has gone and another caravan storage place is there.We pass a building on our right that was the Lynemouth social club that had some great Bands on back in its day. We keep going to come into Ellington,passed the Ellington Institute and the site of the Big E ,Ellington Pit.This was the last deep mine to close in 2005.This mine went 2,600 feet (800 metres) underground,and 15 miles (24km) under the sea.As we pass the Institute keep an eye out on the left for the miner statue. We move through Ellington heading NW before turning South and coming paseed Linton Colliery site,this one closed in 1968,and all we can see is the old railway on the right and we cross it when we turn right. We head on to Longhirst Colliery,after we cross the Main Railway line from London to Edinburgh. This mine was short lived it opened in 1868 and closed in 1896.We keep on to Longhirst Village turning left at the church,to go past Pegswood Ski Slope🤣 ,or pit heap as it was.It's now a nice walk around it,and kids can be seen sledging down in winter. The pit closed here in 1969.We move on passed "Robin of Pegswood" A sculpture of a miner, cast in bronze, and fixed to a steel girder, to capture the strength and determination of the men who worked in the challenging conditions of the mines. We head back to Ashington and finish where the pit used to be.This one closed in 1988.Looking at the ride you would never believe it was all black around here.This is my tribute to the hardmen that worked down the pit.I hope you enjoy it.