Alan Edgar (Eggy1948)

@HIGH PIT WILMA - one of the responses on the Facebook Friends of Bates Colliery group was from a Keith Wilson:- Keith Wilson Fantastic! The story telling that is, not the event, that scared the life out of me an brought home something of the hardships you lads had to endure

Late 1950's = 3d for 8hrs

Caroline Dobinson posted this 2017 photo of the area:-

@HIGH PIT WILMA :- as the popular 'Coal Mining' topic in History Hollow is more about Bedlington mining I have started a new topic for anything to do with Bates Colliery. Here's a comment and photo for you HPW. Posted on the 'Friends of Bates Colliery' Facebook group by ex miner Leslie George :- ............... The guy left is Ron Schoular . me n Ron transfered from Brenkley 82 .He went down 3/4 me up newbiggin drift.Never worked together again .Would see him in dudley club.Lad far right John Tinmouth ?

James - 1973 newspaper article and photos posted by John Krzyznowski on the Facebook group Bygone Bedlington

Now over 30,000 signatures but still no response from the government :-

Now that one I have signed

@HIGH PIT WILMA - I posted your comment on Facebook where Matty Hall's grandson had posted the news of Matty Hall. This is the response from his grandson - John Davidson :- John Davidson Alan Edgar thanks so much for taking the time to post this, it's a lovely tribute from Bill. I remember talking to him outside my Grandads last summer when he was walking down the lane and I was doing the garden, we had a good crack, smashing fella.