Hartford Colliery (closed 1961)

Hartford Colliery was located near East Hartford and Cramlington in Northumberland. Sinking of the colliery's Athley Pitt began on the 3rd of March 1858; other pits included 'Daisy' and 'Scott' pits. In the 1880s, Joseph Lamb & Partners were recorded as owners of the colliery; by the 1890s it was owned by Cramlington Coal Co. Ltd., and from 1929 up to nationalisation in 1947, it was owned by Hartley Main Collieries Ltd.[1] Hartford Colliery was served by Cramlington Colliery Railway, and there was a branch line to Scott Pit.[2]. In 1921 the colliery reached it's peak in terms of numbers employed, with 968 working there (750 working below ground and 218 working below ground). Hartford Colliery closed on the 24th of February 1961, with the loss of 634 jobs.[3] The modern settlement of East Hartford grew up around the colliery. There are few visible remains of the colliery today; the spoil heaps were landscaped and parts of the colliery site are now woodland. However, the name of Scott Street is a link to the pit and the former Miner's Welfare building here is stiil an important hub for the local communiy.