Today marked the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Mines Rescue Station at Houghton-le-Spring. To mark the event the Station held an open day to allow school groups and community members to look around the building.

Houghton Mines Rescue Station

An impressive display of photographs and historical material had been put together depicting many of the major incidents attended by crews from Houghton at Collieries and other major incidents across the country.

Also open were the underground training galleries. Originally constructed to train miners in the art of underground rescue and first aid. The facility is now utilised to train personnel from a variety of industries, such as oil, ship building, water and anyone expected to work in confined spaces.

On of the Underground training spaces

It is this diversification into specialist training which has ensured the continued success of the Mines Rescue Service after the demise of the North East coal industry.

The whole team at Houghton must be congratulated for staging an excellent day of activities and here’s to the next 100 years!

The 1913 building plans

The drift entrance to the underground training galleries where a whole simulated coal face has been recreated

The Rescue Brigade Union Banner