12 March 2026

New photos have been added to the Railway Images Gallery

10 March 2026

With the agreement of the Upper Gaunless Valley History Trust, we have used their photos and provide some illustrated articles about the following collieries:

Butterknowle Collieries (under various ownerships)

Woodland Collieries (under various ownerships)

There is no local history group for Cockfield. John Hallimond is the “oracle” on all things relating to Cockfield and he loaned us some photos so there are details for:

Gordon House Colliery, Cockfield

We have posted information relating to:

Carterthorne Colliery

New Carterthorne Colliery

which were located north of Ramshaw on Railey Fell, west of Toft Hill.

Details of small scale pits and drifts will be posted as and when time permits.

Look under COLLIERIES and scroll down until you find these titles.

8 March 2026

1748 SUNDERLAND BRIDGE to BOWES TOLL TOAD

6 March 2026

Fablink/Evenwood Engineering – a contribution from Barry McCarton provides more details of the work and take-overs.

9 December 2025:

Under DIALECT, some words and sayings from Nelson Dunn’s dictionary.

https://evenwoodramshawdistricthistorysociety.uk/dialect/

6 December 2025:

BEFORE THE RAILWAYS: TURNPIKE ROADS & PROPOSED CANALS

Last September, our history display dealt with the railways.  Prior to the railways, in the 1760s and 1770s, a canal network for south Durham was proposed by the eminent engineer James Brindley and the Dixons of Cockfield.  These schemes failed to attract financial support and the opportunity was then available for an alternative transport system. Railways met the challenge.