Pitmen's Humor

[Damian Robson]

I was going through some old photos and documents belonging by my dad, when I found some funny caricatures drawn on the back of old mine documents. They were probably made by someone my dad worked with down the mine years ago.  I hope the artist can be identified as they are very good. My dad is called David Robson, aka Davey and Mixer. He worked at Netherton Colliery in the late 60’s / 70’s then Bates, Ellington and possibly other pits around the 80’s and 90’s.  The jokes centre around my dad and poke fun at him at work and for other things. I had to photoshop the phallus out of one drawing as it may offend someone. If anyone can shed more light on these drawings then I’d love to hear from them.

Regards,

Damian.

[Alan Edgar (Eggy1948)]

@Damian Robson - I wonder if @HIGH PIT WILMA, who worked at Bates, would have known your dad?

If you are on Facebook there is a group - Friends Of Bates Colliery. This is a direct link to the group :- https://www.facebook.com/groups/batescolliery

 

[Damian Robson]

Thank you, the wife uses Facebook so I'll ask her to take a look. I'm sure he worked at Bates Colliery in the 80's, perhaps early 90's then went to Ellington Colliery after that. If other's worked there at the same time, then they would probably know each other.

Damian.

Edited Sunday at 21:21 by Damian Robson

[Alan Edgar (Eggy1948)]

On 07/06/2026 at 22:12, Damian Robson said:

Thank you, the wife uses Facebook so I'll ask her to take a look. I'm sure he worked at Bates Colliery in the 80's, perhaps early 90's then went to Ellington Colliery after that. If other's worked there at the same time, then they would probably know each other.

Damian.

@Damian Robson = any luck identifying the artist? 

I could ask around the local FB groups as there are ex miners on the groups. That would mean posting one of the drawings you have posted above. the groups I would check on would be Bygone Bedlington, Bates & Northumberland and Durham Pits.

@HIGH PIT WILMA was at Bates until it closed in 1986.  

Was your dad from Bedlington?

Edited 1 hour ago by Alan Edgar (Eggy1948)