Miners Institutes and Welfares
Miners Institutes and Welfares were established throughout the UK in coalmining areas between the late 19th and mid-20th centuries.
For many, the clubs were at the heart of the community’s political, social and sporting activities. They were places to have a drink with mates after a grueling day down the Pit, somewhere to go for a dance or to watch live entertainment, a venue to celebrate weddings and christenings, or to take part in a local club or activity.
There has been a Miners Welfare at Easington Colliery since the first shaft was sunk in the early 1900s. Originally it was made from wood but in 1934 a brick building took its place.
Easington Social Welfare Centre was the central facility in Easington Colliery supporting the welfare and social life of the former mining community. Paid for through subscriptions by the miners themselves, this amazing old building has been at the heart of this community ever since it was built.
Unfortunately, the demise of the coal mining industry in the 1980s and 1990s resulted in the subscriptions drying up, so to keep the hall open, a charity was formed to run it. I am one of seven unpaid trustees who give up their time to keep the centre open and operational, but it is becoming increasingly more difficult to maintain.
It’s a very large building so, as you can imagine, it costs a lot to run. Our annual electricity bill, for example is around £25,000. Gas is £18,000 and water is £7,000.
When the building was heated by coal, you often would have to open windows even in the winter to cool it down, but now, we don’t get any bookings from September until spring because people know how cold the large rooms get in autumn and winter as our electric and gas radiators simply can’t produce enough heat.
We can’t even get Sky TV installed, which would attract more people into the centre, because the cost of this would be £1,700 a month as it is calculated on the rateable value of a building, and we have a big building!
The cost of running the centre is unfortunately more than the £3 a year subscription we receive from our 400-plus members and the income we receive from people who book the hall for activities and events or use the bar.
We have looked at securing funding from the likes of the National Lottery in the past, but none of us are professional bid writers or fundraisers. If we were able to secure funding to improve the heating and to provide disabled access from the street, it would put us in a completely different position.
After all, who can offer the only large wooden sprung dance floor/hall in the North-East? The floor was used for the filming of Billy Elliott and has also been used as a practice venue for competitors on Strictly Come Dancing.
The hall was also used for the auditions of the Ken Loach film The Old Oak and the snooker/pool room was used in the filming of the film Busby, about the former Manchester United manager.
On any given week here, you will find people of all ages taking part in various activities or social events whether it’s homework clubs for children, people using our IT suite or our local football team popping back for a few pints after a match.
We want this to continue.
The centre represents fairness for all, and everyone is made to feel welcome, but we won’t be able to stay open for the community if our situation doesn’t improve.
If anyone is willing to help explore new grant/fundraising opportunities which will support the Easington Social Welfare Centre, please call Steve Fergus on 07917 886798 or email steve.fergus@hotmail.com
