The Port of Blyth dates from the 12th century and remains a major industry in the area today. Over the centuries, the industrial town on the North East coast has been home to coal mining, salt pans, shipbuilding, ship breaking, and import/export trade. This topic celebrates and gives an insight into the industrial history of Blyth.
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.
Oral History of Arthur C, Coastal Warden
Oral history about industry and the environment in Blyth.
Topic: Industrial History, Shipping, Coal Mining, Transportation, Oral History
Oral History of Doreen & Cynthia
Oral history about industry in Blyth.
Topic: Industrial History, Shipping, Coal Mining, Transportation, Oral History
Oral History of Alex O, Employee of Harbour Commission
Oral history about industry and the environment in Blyth.
Topic: Industrial History, Shipping, Coal Mining, Transportation, Oral History
Plan of Harbour Commissioners’ Building, Blyth, 1911
Architectural plans for Blyth Harbour Commissioners’ Building.
Topic: Industrial Development, Architecture
Survey of Possessions of Newminster Abbey made on 1 July 1536
Survey of Newminster Abbey’s property in Blyth.
Topic: Palaeography, Tudors, Dissolution of Monasteries, Pre-Industrial Economic Development
Register of Ships Arriving and Departing Blyth, 1790-1794
Register recording information about ships arriving in and departing from Blyth.
Topic: Industrial History, Shipping, Coal Mining, Transportation
Brochure for Hughes Bolckow & Co., Battleship Breakers
Brochure for shipbreakers in Blyth.
Topic: Industrial History, Shipping, Coal Mining, Transportation, Oral History, Recycling