Washington was heavily involved in the coal industry – men working in the dirty and dangerous pits and women supporting them in many ways above the ground. The new town development coincided with the gradual closing of the mines.

New industries followed: some ex-pitmen went to work at the RCA record pressing plant which opened in 1970 and until 1980 Timex was also an employer. Major employers BAE systems and Rolls Royce added to Washington’s industrial success story.

The Nissan car manufacturing plant started in 1984. Within 20 years Washington’s industries were transformed.

A Miner’s Town

Written by Paige Temperley

Rattle of the cage on the ropes

Just a young apprentice full of hope 

In a town where everything was coal

Mother waits at home

A fiery furnace now awaits

Noise that no-one can escape

Boys lean on each other or you’ll break

When darkness calls

If I’d known then what I know now

I’m not so sure that I’d go down

Bound together underground

A Miner’s town

Man Rider leads you to the pit

For another dark day in the abyss

Morale’s for keeping up remember kids

‘Til we reach the surface

Heat it hits you in the face

Whatever was up there has been replaced

Danger becomes just another day

A constant service

If I’d known then what I know now

I’m not so sure that I’d go down

Bound together underground

A Miner’s town

Dash through the showers lads

There’s a pint to be had

Last orders half ten

Home, bed and go again

Maybe soon we’ll see the light

Until then we’ll sell our time

Same risks keep us tight

Think we’re due another strike

If I’d known then what I know now

I’m not so sure that I’d go down

Bound together underground

A Miner’s town

Guests:

Washington Community Podcasting Group and Mac Stephenson, Ged Parker, Jim Metcalf, Brenda Naisby, Irene McAdam, Mike Laws, Harry Hindess, Linda Chapman and Martin Chapman

Music and Production

• Produced by: Grace Stubbings & the Washington Community Podcasting Group
• Music by: David Brewis & Paige Temperley
• Executive Producers: Caroline Mitchell & Jude Murphy

About the Project

This episode was developed in collaboration with:

• Washington Heritage Partnership
• Sunderland City Council’s Washington Area Committee
• Sunderland Culture at The Arts Centre Washington
• Baseline Shift
• We Make Culture

Supported by:

• The University of Sunderland
• The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players for making this project possible.