The Times

[Sw@lnalla]

According to the 'News Post Leader', the Port of Blyth is to spend £7million on developement of facilitys to import coal into the region, coals to Newcastle seems to be a reality

[Dave]

According to the 'News Post Leader', the Port of Blyth is to spend £7million on developement of facilitys to import coal into the region, coals to Newcastle seems to be a reality

what a waste of money!! there's dozens of coal mines round these parts.... and in other news........they've all gone

[Pencil_Neck]

what a waste of money!! there's dozens of coal mines round these parts.... and in other news........they've all gone

When Joe Rooney was a lad, there was a coal mine down every street but sadly no more

The local chavs could be put down the mines, good honest hard work & white finger claims in their

50s!

[Joe Rooney]

When Joe Rooney was a lad, there was a coal mine down every street but sadly no more

The local chavs could be put down the mines, good honest hard work & white finger claims in their

50s!

Is that why Bedlington was so safe and friendly in the thirties? All the teenagers were too beat from hard work in the pits, and only the adults had the energy, time, and money to drink and fight on (and in) the Bank Top!

Joe Rooney

[Denzel]

Yep the world has gone to the dogs, there was no drink-fuelled violence in the olden days.

[Joe Rooney]

Yep the world has gone to the dogs, there was no drink-fuelled violence in the olden days.

That was the local entertainment, and cheaper than going to the dogs too!

[Denzel]

The times haven't changed then, it's still a popular pastime among Bedlington miscreants.

[Joe Rooney]

The times haven't changed then, it's still a popular pastime among Bedlington miscreants.

Oh these were not miscreants mind you. They were upstanding members of the community. On the weekend they would clean the coal out of their lugs, put on a white collar. Take the family to Mass, or church, or chapel as appropriate. Get into the Bank Top to have a beer or several, discuss the important issues of the week. And when disagreement on state or international affairs might arise they would adjourn outside and have at it. They were no mere brawling riffraff. They were pitman all, and men of conviction if not substance.

So this was a fight to the finish for honour and and the unofficial title of " Bank Top bruiser". And win or lose, on Monday they were all back down the pit!

God knows how they survived as long as they did. Both their work and their play could kill or maim them, and too often did.

Joe