The North Eastern Section visited a small colliery near Ashington north of Newcastle upon Tyne called Woodhorn, which in 1984 brought its last load of miners to the surface and the place was prepared for demolition. The silent headgear was a reminder of past glories, or possibly a gravestone to the thousands of men women and children that lost their lives needlessly in the mines of yesteryear.
The winding engines and shafts remained in use until 1985, as they were required to pump water from Ashington Colliery, until it too closed on 1st October 1986. A few of Woodhorn Colliery's buildings were demolished i.e. the pithead baths and lamp cabin, but it was decided to preserve the remaining buildings as a mining museum. At present there is also an exhibition Cars of the Stars featuring famous cars from film and television including the Starsky & Hutch Torino, Bond Lotus, Simon Templers Volvo and many more.
We then travelled north beyond Alnwick to Doxford Hall Hotel for a traditional Sunday Lunch, which by the look of contentment on everyone face, they enjoyed their meal.
