LEARN Mining

Mining Culture

Mining was the way of life for many in the North East until the mid-late 20th century. This topic celebrates and gives an insight into the mining communities of Northumberland, along with their cultures & traditions. 
 
Below are a series of learning resources created from documents held at Northumberland Archives. They include suggested activities from a wide range of subjects including arts, humanities and STEM. They are aimed at all key stages and lifelong learners.  

Resources are available to download in Word and PDF format.

Documents

Poster For Miners’ Picnic, 1883

Poster advertising a Miners’ Picnic in Blyth. 

Topic: Mining, Culture, Tradition, Language

Miners’ Picnic Photographs, 1950s

Four photographs of Miners’ Picnics in Northumberland. 

Topic: Mining, Culture, Tradition

Photographs Of Ashington Federation Mining Banner, 1988

Photographs of three banners paraded during the Miners’ Picnic. 

Topic: Mining, Culture, Tradition, Art, Social History

Black and White Photographs Of Women’s Sections, Taken About 1955

Three photographs of Women’s Sections in Northumberland. 

Topic: Mining, Culture, Politics, Women, suffrage

Photographs of Coal Queens, 1952, 1953, 1979

Photographs of three Coal Queens in Northumberland.

Topic: Mining, Culture, Tradition, Women’s History

Oral History of an Anonymous Woman, Former Resident of Morpeth

Oral history about Miners’ Picnics.

Topic: Industrial History, Coal Mining, Mining Cultural Heritage, Oral History

Oral History of John Caffrey, Naturalist and Artist

Oral history about Miners’ Picnics.

Topic: Industrial History, Coal Mining, Mining Cultural Heritage, Oral History

Oral History of Bob Reay, Retired Miner

Oral history about Miners’ Picnics.

Topic: Industrial History, Coal Mining, Mining Cultural Heritage, Oral History

The Shilbottle Colliers: Song Lyrics, 1823

Lyrics for the Shilbottle Colliers’ song sang to the tune of Keel Row. 

Topic: Mining, Music, Culture, Language, Tradition

Plan For Aged Miners’ Homes, Mickley, 1925

Architectural plan for aged miners’ cottages to be built in Mickley.

Topic: Mining, Culture, Tradition, Inter-generational, Disabilities

Plan of Newbiggin Working Men’s Club, 1952

Architectural plan of Newbiggin Working Men’s Club. 

Topic: Mining, Culture, Tradition, Leisure, Victorians, Social Reform

Poster for Leek Show, 1947

Poster advertising Ashington & Ellington leek show. 

Topic: Mining, Culture, Tradition, Language

Photographs of Pigeon keeping and Racing, 1904-1947

Three photographs of pigeon racing and keeping.

Topic: Mining, Culture, Sports & Leisure