Hartley Pit Disaster - Free talk event on 14 January 2026 Whitley Bay Library

[River Tyne Lass]

There is going to be a free talk about the Hartley Pit Disaster at Whitley Bay library on 14 January 2026 at 2 pm.

‘The Hartley Pit Disaster in 1862 tragically resulted in the death of 204 men and boys, when the only shaft of the Hester Pit collapsed trapping them underground.  This disaster led to significant changes in mining safety regulations’.

Contact any North Tyneside library to book.

Sorry, there isn’t a poster out about this event as yet.

[Radcliff]

Gutted I can't make this one , Im not back in the East  till Feb

[River Tyne Lass]

Oh, I’m sorry you won’t be able to make it this time.  Hopefully, they might repeat the event again in the future. It was nice to finally get to meet you at the Local Studies recently Radcliff.

This is of personal interest to me as I am a coal miner’s daughter and my own Dad narrowly missed losing his life in the 1960’s in a mining accident in this area .. so clearly the significant changes were not significant enough.    I also have memories of my Dad taking me to see the Hartley Memorial when I was a young child. 
I have just noticed that although the library events booklet records that this event is on at 2 pm, my booking confirmation records the time as 1 pm to 2 pm.  I think the latter will be the correct time.  I will check with the staff when I next can.