In 1889 two shafts of Clara Vale Pit ,in County Durham, were sunk by the Stella Coal Company. In 1897 the pit produced 180,000 tons of coal and at its height employed nearly a thousand men. The pit was nationalised in 1947and was closed in 1966 for economic reasons. The old lodge banner hangs in the Community hall which was once the village school.
This is such a lovely, historic banner. It is sad that your area has lost this historic industry.
ReplyDeleteSuch optimism! People too easily forget that many of the things that we now take for granted we only have because our grandparents were prepared to stand up for the things they believed in.
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