I received the photographs from Ian Worthington from Thornley he obtained them from Leanora and Jack Mawson of Thornley, (the lady that organises the Thornley Brass Band Concerts) and Ian scanned them. Ian's philosophy is "Nothing Lost You Give A Friend" so some of the following are courtesy of a friend. I have also added other photographs from different people that I have received and I'm not sure who sent them. To show them I have broken them down into photographs of the Village the Colliery and the People (Page 1, Page 2 Page 3 Page 4). I received photographs from Hazel Summers (additional photos and information from Lorna Murray and from Jacqueline Price, daughter of Ernie Murray) via Allan Fulcher, they show some of the Thornley Colliery Bands as well as some of her family members. Just received photographs from Colin Butterfield, they show Colin's Bushby relatives on his wife's(Elizabeth Moody) side of the family who lived in Thornley. John Robinson also a Bushby relative who lives in Canada(originally from Trimdon) has sent me some photographs. John is related by his uncle Harry Kell who married Gladys Bushby. Also added are three Wellfield photographs courtesy of John.
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Just received photographs from Bob Dawson, son of Bill (Ginger) Dawson who used to be the manager of The Railway Tavern in Thornley.
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Received photographs from Ken Orton (Page 1, Page 2, Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11) who used to live in the village and is presently living in Ferryhill.
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Demolition photographs of St Bartholomew's Church from Peter Fulcher and article from The Sunderland Echo via Allan Fulcher.
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Received photographs from Roy Anderson and Jack Mawson.
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Received photographs from Hazel Mountford including a history of her family's roots in Thornley.
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Alistair Mills in Canada has been helping his Grandson with a school project as they were studying World War I and had to do research on a family member. As it turned out Alistair had photographs and personal information on his wife Joan's maternal Grandfather who was killed at the Battle of the Somme. His name was Edward Smith and this is the information that Alistair has shared.
As a follow up to the photographs and information that Alistair Mills sent me he has sent me further photographs of his wife's (Joan Thornton) family. Joan's father was the post master in Thornley. Post Office and family photos. Joan's father was in the RAF in the 1930's and some of the photos from his time. He was originally an aircraft mechanic but became a pilot. RAF Photos. Alistair via Colin Butterfield and his wife Elizabeth Moody have also shared an Easington Council Clearance Order for Coopers Terrace Thornley. Also there a couple of photos of Coopers Terrace.
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A little history of the coal mine and the pit banner recently received from Roy Lambeth.
Sunk in 1834-35 by John Gully and Partners to work the Harvey seam. Fire broke out underground in June 1858 and the area was drowned to stop it. Some work continued till the Harvey was laid in in 1861. It then passed London Steam Colliery and Coal Co. in 1865. The company was re-named The Original Hartlepool Collieries Co. in 1868 and in 1870-72 sank Thornley New Winning to the five-quarter. The surface operations were destroyed by fire on 8th May 1875. and the company went bankrupt in 1877. They recovered but finally collapsed in 1884. The shaft was then filled in but was re-opened in 1888 by the Weardale Iron & Coal Co Ltd,. The No.2 shaft was sunk in 1904 and from 1914 became the main drawing shaft. In 1949 3 men were drowned when water broke in from old Cassop Vale workings. Following a re-organisation in 1956 a new Baum washery and dry-cleaning plant were constructed. Production ceased on 9th January 1970 and the pit officially closed on Jan 31st.
Thornley's banner was set above the platform at the FIRST GALA in 1871 though no descriptive details were recorded.
The banner at the 1872 and 1873 Galas showed an arbitration scene and the message 'Blessed is the day when strikes die away. The reverse showed a widow and orphans 'Compensation we demand when life is sacrificed' It was produced by W. Whaite of Manchester.
At the 1927 Gala The Thornley banner carried the motto ' A fair days work for a fair days pay'. A banner possibly this one was destroyed by fire in 1943.
The subsequent banner, present at the 1947 Gala shows the aged miner's homes named after Arthur Greenwood on one side and a scene of children playing in a park on the other. with the title Peace and Prosperity. The banner is red with a yellow border and measures 8ft4in x 7ft10in. This was damaged in the 1950s but subsequently repaired and given to Arthur Greenwood
Location: Thornley Community Centre
The 1953 banner produced by Tutill at Chesham repeated the previous designs. It was unfurled by Arthur Greenwood at Thornley Welfare Hall on 17th July. It is red with a yellow border and measures 8ft0in x 7ft10in
Location Thornley Community Centre.