Harraton and District Social and Industrial History Group

This group have researched the mining heritage of their area, and put on a display in their community centre (the former Miners Welfare Club) about this subject.

Harraton - formerly part of County Durham but now part of Sunderland borough - was from 1594 to 1965 was home to Harraton Colliery. Because of its geographic location close to the River Wear, this was an extremely productive colliery, especially in the days before railways. As early as 1638 10,000 tonnes of coal were being shipped out of Harraton at Washington Staithes each year. By 1787 15 wagon ways existed from Harraton Colliery to the Wear, covering a two mile stretch of land. In these two miles there were 23 pits. The river could have up to 300 keelmen on it at any time, transporting coal south.

For many years Harraton Colliery was known as 'Cotia Pit'. This was because of the large number of Scottish people working there, who had migrated south for work. The name 'Cotia Pit' comes from Nova Scotia, which the area became known as to the local people.

The land that Harraton lies on was owned by the Lambtons for many years. They leased different pits to different pit owners, such as the Joicey family. The Lambtons donated land to the mine workers, to be used as a school and miners welfare club.

Nearby Penshaw Quarry was also used, to provide stone to many different locations. In 1825 stone from Penshaw was shipped to London and used in the building of London Bridge.

In 1965 Harraton Colliery was closed. The area known until this time as Fatfield, which was the name given collectively to the many different mining hamlets in the area, became categorised by Durham County Council as a Category D 'New Town'. In effect this meant that the mining village was left to die out and new housing built, forming present day Harraton and Fatfield.

Contact: Pat Kendal, Harraton Community Association, Bonemill Lane, Fatfield, Washington, Sunderland, NE38 8AJ