The Beatrice or New Pit
opened 1874 closed 1985
There was a total of 635 men and boys employed at the "New Pit" between July and August 1888.
Hewers - 284. Deputies - 25. Shifters - 156. Putters - 45. Driver flats - 66
leading water - 3 Engine planes - 23. On Setting - 8 Banksman - 10 Lamp man - 5
horse keepers - 4 Rolleyway men - 7 token men - 2
Pay. No 16
The highest wage for 14 days was £2 - 15s - for screening work
The average wage seems to have been £1 - 13s - 6d. for 11 1/2 days
Monday Nov 14th 1898.
Mr. E.R. Beanup commenced as a engine wright at the pit.
Friday March 23rd 1900
Mr. E.R. Beanup finished work on the Friday evening and there was a presentation (in his absence) in the New Inn on Saturday night, with a silver mounted walking stick, rule and sprit level.
Sunday (Whit) May 21st 1902
John Allan (Hylton Jack) was killed by a fall of stone at the side landing, there was compensation of £200 paid.
Tuesday June 16th 1903
We regret to inform you, the death of Mr.C.W.Martin head colliery engineer to the Lambton coal company. He died at his residence (Penshaw House) about 3 o clock this morning following the bursting of a blood vessel, near to his heart last Wednesday. Mr Martin succeeded Mr Lishman some 10 years ago as head viewer of the Newbottle group of Lambton collieries and North Biddick, Lumley and Herrington pits. prior to this he was manager of Murton colliery. He is buried in West Herrington Church Yard.
December 1905
Like most collieries the union had became very active and Herrington was not alone
The miners union played a very important part in the community, apart from protecting the members rights which were deemed very small in those days. The union also had a medical fund, which helped to pay for a doctor for the membership. In 1905 there was an election held at the "New Pit" those elected are as follows:-
New Herrington Lodge election of officers December 1905
President - Mr William Summersell
Secretary - Councillor William Hardy
Treasurer - Mr James Gradon
Sick Steward - Mr.Sam Scott
Assistant Secretary - Mr.A. Winship
Average Taker - Mr.John Minto
Delegate - Mr Thomas Vardy
Committee.
Mr M.R. Innes
Mr J. Vardy
Mr William Brown
Mr J.Dixon
Crakeman - Mr William Brown
Pit Inspectors
Mr Anderson Rickaby
Mr G.Dixon
Caretaker
Mr Anderson Rickaby
Monday June 30th 1924
Mr James Stokoe manager of the colliery resigned on this day. Born in 1858 at South Hetton, he started at Murton colliery aged 10 years old. He got his under- managers ticket in 1888, and his managers ticket in 1889. He was under- manager for one year, then the manager in 1902. He was active in the village, and he lived in the "Lodge" (There is a photo of Mr Stokoe on the site-"Herrington bowling team 1921").