I often think back and remember the times I was awakened every morning with the familiar noises of my old mining town of BURRADON. My dad, grandad and uncle all worked at Wheetslade and Burradon collieries.

I lived in Office Row for 18 years till the old cottages were pulled down and we moved to Means Drive at the age of 20.

I often think about the old tank, meaning the big black coal engine my Dad used to drive.

My Dad ERNIE LYNCH drove one of these wonderful engines from 1950 till 1977; he would bring coal in the big trucks trailing along to and fro every day.

The fondest memories I can remember are the times I would wait for my Dad to come down that great line from WEATSLADE to BURRADON, seeing the Tank getting nearer and nearer, bigger and bigger, it would slow down near the Working Mens Social Club, to cross over the main road leading through the little village of BURRADON

As the Tank slowed down I would jump on to the platform and stand with my Dad and his mate who I think was called Bart Smith. The smell of burning coal and oil and the noise of the roaring engine will be with me forever. I would travel the rest of the way watching the trail of steam and Dad throwing shovelfuls of coal to keep the engine going for the rest of the journey to the engine shed.

When we got to the end Dad would say that's it lass get on home I'm putting THE OLD TANK TO BED.

My Dad is no longer with us now, but those memories will stay with me always.

I often visit my Mam, she is 84 now and frail, but knows all about the old pit and the people who lived there and my old town of BURRADON, which quite frankly will never be the same, a wonderful village it is, but the old days were something else. We go for walks around the area where the pit used to be, it's all built over now with a great lot of modern houses and when I see the kids playing I get a lump in my throat because little do they know they are living right on my door step where I loved and played where they are now . . . they will never know the joy of it all.

My grandad he was something else (Bob Wilkinson) worked down the mine all his life, he used to grow leeks and show them in Burradon club, and I remember the long gardens which were full of vegetables and flowers, when I think about it all I have a tear in my eye, I would gladly do it all again.  My Grandad died at the early age of 64 ,as all the men worked hard then, it's such a shame. My Nana and Grandad lived in Annisford Terrace, and we lived in Office Row, what a joy it was them days playing all over and not a single worry.
I would love to see more history about Burradon and it's people.

Well it was a pleasure reminiscing about old times, I could write a book.

The website is a joy and I will keep looking.

Regards Diana ( nee Lynch)

Burradon - A VERY SAD DAY …. A GREAT STEP FORWARD