In February 2005, Ellington Colliery was closed as a result of flooding of a working coal face from adjacent abandoned workings, and the risks involved in extracting alternative reserves. This was the last major mine in the once globally important 'Great Northern Coalfield' which, for over 1,000 years, provided fuel and employment and consolidated communities and created a unique regional culture. Coal mining and its way of life is now a history.This book explores the story of mining in the North East region of the UK, from its beginnings right up to the closure of Ellington Colliery, Northumberland in 2005. This was the last major mine in what was known as 'The Great Northern Coalfield', which, for hundreds of years, provided fuel and employment, consolidated communities and created a unique regional culture. A culture which has now been consigned to history. It also serves as a guide to the coal collections held at the Beamish Museum.

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