Memories Of Westoe Colliery.

Subscribe to my you tube channel for 280+ more coal mine tributes and counting. Westoe Colliery opened in 1909, though boring operations in the neighbourhood of Westoe were recorded earlier in 1759 and 1873.The colliery was originally built as a man-riding shaft for the nearby St Hilda's Colliery, but became a full producing mine when the older colliery closed in 1940. Prior to nationalisation in 1947, Westoe Colliery was owned by Harton Coal Company and was connected to the Harton Electric Railway for transporting coal to staiths near Mill Dam. The colliery was heavily modernised in 1957 with the construction of two tower mounted friction winders and a modern coal preparation plant.In 1980 the colliery employed 2,509 people (2,146 working below ground and 363 working on the surface). Sadly Westoe Colliery closed in May 1993.The colliery was subsequently demolished and the site redeveloped for housing around the Bents Park area.