The end of Houghton pit

A pit with a highly skilled workforce but Houghton Colliery closed after months of speculation.

Transcript

00:00Houghton Pit had had some of the most talented workers in the region, but the collieries

00:06future changed forever in 1981. That was the year when months of speculation arose about

00:14whether it would stay open. The 250 workers were praised by the National Call Board for

00:22being highly skilled, but the NCB said it would take £5 million of investment, an 18

00:29months to open a new sea. Instead, in September 1981, the pit's last days arrived. Another

00:39Durham Coalfields colliery had gone, and others would follow. If you worked there, tell us

00:47more by emailing chris.cordner at nationalworld.com