Doctor Pit from Front Street.jpg

Probably one of the best photos taken of Doctor Pit.  It was taken by Bill Ward Photographer in Bedlington, I believe.  Bought this photo, in a frame, from him many years ago.

Of all the photos I’ve seen of the Dr Pit, this is the only one that shows the Drift. The  Drift entrance can be seen on the extreme right of the photo with its screening plant.

The Drift was an inclined shaft that was in operation between 1947 and 1960. It was opened to mine coal under what is now the golf course but it was decided that it would be cheaper to mine these reserves by opencast methods so the drift was closed.

Does anybody have any idea where the photographer would have been standing to get this view of the pit?

23 hours ago, Canny lass said:

Does anybody have any idea where the photographer would have been standing to get this view of the pit?

On the roof of Elliott's garage (now Baedling Manor) or the top floor, or roof, of the Market Place club?

Thanks Eggy! I don't recall either the club or the garage as beig that high but it must be right. I was thinking the tower of St Cuthberts but the angle is all wrong.

1 minute ago, Canny lass said:

Thanks Eggy! I don't recall either the club or the garage as beig that high but it must be right. I was thinking the tower of St Cuthberts but the angle is all wrong.

Initially I though St Cuthberts but like you I then thought the angle was all wrong . On top of The Nail wouldn't be high enough 

I'd think it was on a vehicle, probably a street lighting installation or maintenance truck, (done it many times!) 

Edited February 7, 20215 yr by Vic Patterson

Now, there's an idea. Could it have been even higher upp at the school?

18 hours ago, Canny lass said:

Now, there's an idea. Could it have been even higher upp at the school?

Don't think it would have been taken from the school - wrong angle. This image, pre Market Place Club, shows the school yard looking across to the Market Place. 

And the height appears a little bit higher from the school.

  In a search for the Market Place Club I found a photo of the club with a dormer window in the roof. Without standing outside of the club or looking out of the dormer with a copy of the photo in question in my hand my best guess is the photo was taken from that dormer.

57 minutes ago, Jammy said:

  In a search for the Market Place Club I found a photo of the club with a dormer window in the roof. Without standing outside of the club or looking out of the dormer with a copy of the photo in question in my hand my best guess is the photo was taken from that dormer.

Could be 

I think you may have cracked it

Well done!