In 1929, this company worked Bildershaw, Copeland House, Ramshaw and West Auckland pits employing about 96 men.  M.V. Summerson was manager. 

By 1930, Bildershaw was idle, the other 3 pits employed about 76 men.  M.V Summerson was manager.  Copeland House was discontinued in January 1933. 

By 1934, Ramshaw, Ramshaw No.2 and West Auckland employed about 105 men.

By 1938, the company worked 4 pits – Ramshaw, Copeland House, West Auckland and Spring Gardens.  The Agent was W. Summerson, the Manager was J. Snowdon and the Engineer was C. Nicholson. 

In 1940, the Registered Office was West Auckland Colliery Office, West Auckland.  The directors were J. Brydon, Reklow House, Front Street, Cockfield; J. Simpson 62 High Street, Byers Green; M.V. Summerson, Hilton Lodge, Evenwood Gate; W. Summerson, Highway, Etherley; J. Thompson Lands Bank, Cockfield. 

Secretary:  W. Summerson

Agent: M.V. Summerson 

The company owned:

• Copeland House,
• Ramshaw No.1
• Ramshaw No.2
• West Auckland employing about 153 men with J.W. Snowdon as manager.

At the time of Nationalisation, the company directors were:

• Chairman: W. Summerson;
• Directors: J.T. Brydon, Staindrop Road, Cockfield; Clara Summerson, Garden House, Cockfield; Gladys Summerson, Garden House, Cockfield;
• Secretary: M.V. Summerson
• Agent: Henry Holt.

Above: A map to show the location of the Ramshaw Collieries

1946: 23 December: ACCIDENT AT RAMSHAW COLLIERY No.1

THE SUMMERSON FAMILY of COCKFIELD: some more details

Above: about 1927: back row: Henry Widdas; other three are unknown

front row left to right: William Summerson; Percy Widdas; Maurice V. Summerson & Hugh Widdas

1947 January 11:  Maurice V. Summerson died aged 51.  He then lived at Hilton Lodge, Evenwood but died at Park Terrace, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.  His effects of about £73,849 was left to William Summerson, company director, his widow Madeleine and Isobel Tarn.

1958 September 16:  William died aged 54. He then lived at “Highway”, Etherley, Bishop Auckland and left about £106,300 to his widow Gwendolyne and Peter William Reginald Summerson, school master and Neil Gordon Forster, solicitor.

Above: Family Headstone in Cockfield Cemetery

Below: A plan to show the location of Ramshaw No.1 Colliery and the earlier worked Norwood Drift.

Below this photo, 31 May 2020 showing the view over the area from the south.