References to coal working on the Gibside estate date from 1607 and ceased with the closure of a small drift mine in 1884. There are a few visible shaft mounds at this grid reference (further mounds, adits and a drift mouth at NZ 182 593 see SMR 3653).

Recommended as a site with potential C17 workings, however no surface features were identified in this area during the survey {1}.

Sunk in 1909, Westoe was heavily modernised in the 1950s with the construction of two tower mounted friction winders and a modern coal preparation plant. The site has recently closed and awaits demolition {1}. Westoe Colliery was begun in 1909 as a man-riding shaft for the nearby St Hilda's Colliery. It became a producing mine when the old colliery closed in 1940. A major reconstruction scheme commenced in 1957. The early 1960s tall enclosed winding tower of the Crown Shaft dominates the site. An unusual but sadly lost feature of the mine was the electrically operated railway which connected the colliery with staiths at Harton adjacent to Mill Dam. The railway had been installed by the original German owned Harton Coal Company {2}. Site now cleared for a housing development [2001].

Frizzell designed modern movement brick-built bath house. The modernist detailing around the entrance, railings and staircase are of particular note and the boiler chimney is prominently displayed {1}. One of the earliest references to the building of pit-head baths in the North East Coalfield was in April 1855 when Cramlington Colliery owners were reported to have opened 'warm baths and showers at the colliery for their men'. However, pit-head baths are more a 20th century phenomenon, and a large number of baths were built following the Mines Industry Act 1926. Many architecturally interesting buildings were erected by the Miners' Welfare Committee from about 1933 onwards - Elemore being one of these. A remarkable series of baths were built between 1933 and 1939 for the collieries of Northumberland. In Durham elegant designs were followed at Silksworth, Easington and Elemore, all of which were designed by F.G. Frizzell. Approximately 30 pit-head bath buildings were erected in Durham in the period after 1932, all brick built and most characterized by the dominant display of the chimney and water tank. The impressive external design of the building at Elemore was complimented by an interior of considerable quality - all of which was achieved at a reputed cost of £1500. Few of Frizzell's baths now survive in the region but those at Elemore are now occupied by a small engineering firm {2}.

Colliery brick stable block built after 1919 and associated with Rickless Drift which was used for ventilation, man-riding and pit pony access 1890-1948. The building is still used for stabling {1}.

Temporary power station was opened at Philadelphia by the Sunderland District Electric Tramways Ltd in 1905, beside their tramway depot. In 1906 a permanent station had been built by the Durham Collieries Power Company who supplied 'Lambton and Colliery Co' (Lambton and Hetton Collieries Co Ltd from 1911) and the tramway company. Incorporated into NESCO by 1911 (changed frequently from 50Hz to 40Hz). Currently occupied by a container firm. Elements of site survive, particularly 3 stone buildings. Largest is a generating hall with tall, round-headed openings and red-brick detailing. Interior contains iron-framed walkway with stairs and control cabin; crane supports, toilets, tiled lower walls. Substantial basement with features implying machinery (boilers?). Iron roof trusses. Two smaller buildings, similar style, interiors not inspected {1}. Built c1906 as a power station for the Durham Collieries Power Company in yellow brick with red brick dressings. The building has been in more recent years a central garage for the former National Coal Board {3}. The power station and its annex buildings were recorded by TWM in 2011.

Generating Hall and possibly boiler house adjacent. The whole structure now embedded in later buildings of TSL. The main hall now used as a warehouse. It is brick built with a corrugated sheet curtain gable at east end. The west end has a brick corbelled decorative parapet with sandstone capping. The peak of the gables is stepped to finish the roof ridge louvres and roof lights. The roof is slated. The west gable is pierced by three round-topped windows at switch gallery level (first floor). Interior retains original white tiling and signs of wall fittings. Otherwise completely stripped for reuse. First General Power Station for bulk electricity in the UK. Designed by Merz and McClellan for Walker and Wallsend Union Gas Co. Taken over by NESCO to replace Pandon Station (lighting only) {1}. Charles Merz, engineer, chose reciprocating engines rather than the new turbines, reflecting slowness of customers to accept reliability of the new technology. Within a year, plans to enlarge station and install turbines. Included a 1500kW 3-phase turbine set for public supply. Engine house survives within Thermal Syndicate Complex on Neptune Bank {2}. Opened in 1901, designed by Charles Merz and William McLellan. Charles Merz was the son of Theodore Merz, one of the directors of NESCO, who pioneered the idea of a central power station supplying current for industry on an industrial scale. The Neptune bank Power Station took over from Pandon Dene (SMR 5152). The engine house survives within the Thermal Syndicate Complex on Neptune Bank. Britain's first supplier of three phase electricity for industry. Overtaken by Carville Power Station (SMR 1912) in 1903 {3}.

Second Pit is shown on a plan of the Earl of Carlisle's Estate 1749. A further plan of the same year shows First and Second Engine Pits. A wagonway linked Dyke Pit (SMR 5104) to these pits and ran south to staiths at Walker {2}. Last shown on a plan of 1824 of the royalties and extent of manorial rights to coal under Gosforth {5}. It may have been disused at this time. The site was built over with housing in the 1950s-1960s.

Shown on a plan of the Earl of Carlisle's Estate 1749. A wagonway ran south to staiths at Walker {2}. Last shown on a plan of 1824 of the royalties and extent of manorial rights to coal under Gosforth {5}. It may have been disused at this time. The site was built over with housing in the 1950s-1960s.

Shown as "Sinking pitt" and "Meadow Pit" on plans by John Watson, Colliery Viewer, of 1749. To the north of the pit the plans mark a fault called the Great or Main Dyke. A wagonway for horse-drawn wagons ran almost due south from the pit, to join lines from Dyke Pit (SMR 5104) and Lane Pit (SMR 5105) leading to staiths at Walker. The description of Meadow Pit as a sinking pit, suggests that this was a new winning in 1749. A pit depth of 58.5 fathoms (351') is recorded on the plans {2}. Viewer's reports on Longbenton Colliery of 1750-4 contain frequent references to Meadow Pit in 'ye Large Field'. It was evidently connected to Lane Pit by galleries - "1752 Jany. 27 Went down at ye Meadow Pit this morning… from thence went through to ye Lane Pit" {3}. At this time Meadow Pit was served by 37 horses. In 1750-51 123 wagons of coal were led to Walker staith from the pit. From at least 1751 the longbenton Colliery was let to Lord Ravensworth and Co, a consortium of coal owners known as the Grand Allies. The Meadow Pit worked the High Main Seam which was abandoned in 1763. An undated plan probably from the second half of 18th century shows Meadow Pit as belonging to the Earl of Carlisle {4}. The last appearance of the Meadow Pit is on a plan of the royalties and extent of manorial rights to coal under Gosforth dated 1824 {5}. It is not clear if this plan is showing pits which were still working, or was simply recording the locations of all coal workings, current and disused, in the Longbenton Colliery. As there appears to be no documentary references to the Meadow Pit at this date it seems likely that it was abandoned, and may already have been capped and the surrounding field reclaimed for agriculture. The 1842 tithe map of Longbenton does not show Meadow Pit. On an undated map of Longbenton North Farm {6} the field is labelled Meadow Pit Field. The Meadow Pit Fields were built over in the 1950s-1960s with housing {1}.