I found the following eerie story in an old newspaper clipping (Shields Gazette 2005). The story was wrapped around Boldon Colliery Coal Mine. I have posted it at face value.
Back To The Past
Boldon Colliery was a thriving mining village, once bustling with life. The railway line, with its signal box and gated level crossing, divided Boldon New Town from the colliery housing and mine workings. Though those days are gone, the village has grown into a small town, with new homes and a diverse population. Yet, amidst the changes, the rich history of this former mining community still lingers.
furthermore, I still remember the vibrant sounds of Jazz Bands, the joyous Carnival Queen celebrations, and the spirited performances by the Colliery Brass Band who also appeared in episode 13 of the television series When The Boat Comes In. (1976 until 1981 James Bolam stared as Jack Ford. And not forgetting the annual Fun Fair, complete with its colorful stalls and excitement? Occasionally, Billy Smarts Circus would roll into town, adding to the magic of those special days.
A Night To Remember
Summing up I can not forget to mention Durham Miners’ Gala. known among mining communities as Durham Big Meeting Day. The Miners’ Gala is an annual gathering and labour festival held on the second Saturday of July in the city of Durham. A day I will always remember as the day a father returned home to Boldon Colliery leaving is son, at the tender age of 13 years, behind, stranded in Durham City.
Nevertheless it was a night and early hours of the morning scares for a young boy of 13, walking along lonely unlit country lanes. I hid behind bushes and hedge-rows every time I heard a car engine. I was afraid of being picked up and never being heard of again.
Although afraid, surprisingly, I remembered a bus from Chester-Le-Street passed through the colliery on its way to South Shields. So after what felt like many hours of walking dark lonely country roads (no road lighting back then) I arrived at Chester-Le-Street a little before midnight finding the bus that would safely take me home had departed. That left me one option walk the rest of the way home (and that’s what I did).
The Abandoned Mine
In the early 1980’s, the mine workings at Boldon Colliery were closed, replaced by a beautiful forest and nature trail walk. Considering this story was in the Shields Gazette in 2005 suggests the legend of ghostly happenings persists, refusing to fade away (for some).
When the coal mine closed in 1982, only two seams were still being worked. However, back in the 1950’s, four seams – The Yard, Bensham, Five Quarter, and Hutton – were operational. It’s the fifth seam called Beaumont no longer in use and had not been worked since 1869 that forms the basis of this eerie tale.
The Haunting Experience
As the story goes, three young miners were working on the coal seam when one of them decided to take a break and have his bait (lunch). As he walked away from his colleagues, he noticed footsteps behind him. Turning around, he found no one following him, but the footsteps persisted.
A little later he mentioned his odd experience to his two mates and was surprised to find that they had experienced the ghostly footsteps themselves. leaving them all feeling unnerved. Laughing the experience off, it would appear, was the wrong thing to do.
The Cries in the Dark
A few days later, while working on the same coal seam, the trio heard cries for help from a distance. Initially, they thought someone had been injured and rushed to the rescue. Following the cries, they arrived at the old Beaumont coal face, where the cries abruptly stopped. Feeling uneasy, they walked away, only to hear the cries start up again, louder than ever.
A Reporter’s Theory
The newspaper cutting reported that the story was soon the talk of the then village and the three young miners were adamant that they hadn’t been the victims of a practical joke.
According to the newspaper cutting the reporter believes that the three young miners may have heard a replay of a tragic accident that happened at the Beaumont coal seam.
The Tragic Accident
John Wardle, just 12 years old, was employed as a driver guiding horses on the main underground road. Unwisely, he attempted to dismount from the truck while the horses were still drawing it. Sadly, John was crushed between the coal truck and the coal face, his cries for help echoing throughout the pit.
The Cries of the Past
Although a lot of the text was missing from the newspaper enough existed to recount the story. The reporter would have liked to meet with the men. However, one of the young miners involved in this story, Mr. Chris Lawler, had moved away to another part of the country. The whereabouts of the other two men were unknown.
Although the mine shaft at Boldon Colliery has been filled in for many years, one can’t help but wonder if the cries can still be heard and how terrifying it must be to be buried underground with no one to answer your cry for help ghost or not.
The Feature image post is taken from that particular news clipping. Although the clipping is crumpled torn, and dirty and has seen better days after numerous attempts I managed to get some of it scanned the rest I have added helping to hide missing pieces and lend atmosphere… I think!
Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay
Image: The Carnival Queen image is marked but still viewable.
Note:
Image Carnival Queen I’m not sure how I came to own this photo. I believe the man on the left to be my Mum’s Father. (Shahdaroba 2024).