Just a brief updated on the Colliery Stables.

Work began this week on the floor of the building. As the stables we are copying has had a new floor laid we needed to find a appropriate example to copy. Luckily, at Bowes Railway, the floor of a similar set of stables still survives. Using this as an example we have been able to recreate the drainage lines.

An origional floor at Bowes Railway, Springwell

Glazed drainage gullies are also being laid along with a block work walkway. This is being constructed out of reclaimed brick, originally made by Jameson’s of Corbridge.

New stall floor and black work walkway

The new floor

Just by chance the perfect opportunity came along to get a shot of one of our new Shetland ponies. Although, since the death of Pip the pit pony in 2009, none of the Museum’s ponies have ever been underground they are all of a size and type common in the Durham coal field. ‘Wheezer’, seen here with his handler Jack, will be one of the first residents of the new stables. The new building will be a big improvement to the current accommodation, which can be seen in the background.

Jack and Wheezer the pony