Research Projects

by Janet Blakey

1905		10th October- Bell Bros. started steps for Bowburn Pit
1905		7th November - Bell Bros. agreed to purchase Bowburn Farm
1905		5th December - Bell Bros. approved 20 houses for the sinkers at Bowburn Pit
1906		23rd July -The sinking of downcast pit began
1906		10th July - Bell Bros. informed of the contract for the sinking of Bowburn Pit
1906		14th December - Bell Bros. directors authorised erection of more houses
1908		15th January - Sinking of Downcast Pit at Bowburn completed
1908		7th June - First coal drawn with cages at Bowburn Pit
1909		12th January - reported to Bell Bros. directors that 137 houses had been built
1909		6th April - Bell Bros. Approved plans for 2 foremen’s houses
1911		Population of Bowburn 1200 (census)
1911		New upcast shaft opened at Bowburn
1921		Electric street lighting installed by Bell Bros.
1922		25th January - Durham Road, Bowburn lit for the first time
1930		636 employed at Bowburn Pit
1939		Outside toilets installed in colliery houses
1940		2358 employed at Bowburn Pit
1945		2950 employed at Bowburn Pit
1950		2353 employed at Bowburn Pit
1960		2102 employed at Bowburn Pit
1967		20th July - last coal drawn at Bowburn Pit
1967		22nd July - Bowburn Pit closed
1968		Bowburn Pit finally abandoned
1970		Bowburn pit heaps reclaimed by Durham County Council
1976		Durham County Council adopted colliery streets

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