Can't comment too much on the coal authority as I have not had nowt to do with them other
than the drift entrance at Blenkinsopp. I enquired at the county council at Morpeth to get the
entrance preserved in some form when it finally closed. When they said they would look into
it because of its obvious historical interest I was a bit dubious anything would happen about
it. When I got a phone call later on to confirm that it had indeed been saved and would be
made into a listed building (of sorts) I thought great. But what a shame when I went back,
after it had closed to find the whole drift had been filled right up to the entrance and had
been blocked off with concrete blocks (now finished off with stone). Enquiries at Morpeth said
they were against this and would of rather put some kind of metal fence up. Would of looked
a 100 times better and given some perspective to the mine. In fact in my view they have
covered the best bit up, the stone arch work. Who blocked the sensible choice, 'the coal
authority'. I don't think this is the right way of preserving mining history. Of course you have
to look at safety, etc but surely they could of done a better job than this. In few years time
when taking the kiddies for a look at where you have worked and the Aye it was different in
my day and we worked 25 hours a day 8 days a work for a pittance (?) etc, etc, etc,the stuff
my granddad come out with, they will take one look at it and say 'it's a bloody wall you fool !'

I just hope they do a better job and have learnt from what ever happened in the past which i
do not know anything about. What worries me is everybody thinks because this is a
Government backed it will have the money and resources it needs to carry this project
through. Governments do carry out cutbacks and I cannot see mining history being on the list
of priorities but you never know.

By the way I have just started my web site on Blenkinsopp mine. You can see it at the address
below. Not yet finished, mainly photos but I could do with some help with the history part.
Any takers (Clive !)

http://www.blenkinsoppmine.btinternet.co.uk/