| Silksworth | |
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Silksworth
Silksworth shown within Tyne and Wear |
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| OS grid reference | NZ378535 |
|---|---|
| Metropolitan borough | City of Sunderland |
| Metropolitan county | Tyne and Wear |
| Region | North East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SUNDERLAND |
| Postcode district | SR3 |
| Dialling code | 0191 |
| Police | Northumbria |
| Fire | Tyne and Wear |
| Ambulance | North East |
| EU Parliament | North East England |
| UK Parliament | Sunderland South |
| List of places: UK • England • Tyne and Wear | |
Silksworth is a former coal mining village in Sunderland, located next to Tunstall, Farringdon and Gilley Law
Silksworth a brief history: Silksworth is a former colliery village with a 100 year coal mining heritage. In 1871, according to the Census there were approx 400 people living in the Silksworth and Tunstall areas, the local area was mainly farmland and most people worked on the land. Then to exploit the rich coal reserves in the area the Silksworth Colliery shaft was sunk in 1869 funded by Lord Londonderry. Ten years later in 1879 the local population had risen to 4707 for the Silksworth and Tunstall areas. The increase in population was mainly due to the migration of people to the area seeking work at the new Silksworth colliery. According to the census returns the miners came from Ireland, Scotland, Cornwell and even from the United States and Germany. The miners and their families had moved to the colliery areas seeking employment and also colliery housing was provided for the miners by the mine owner Lord Londonderry. The miners life was not an easy one, working conditions underground were very dangerous and the work very arduous. When Silksworth Colliery eventually closed in 1971 it was a massive blow to the local community as many of the local people and businesses relied on the colliery for their livelihood. Just about all remnants of the former Silksworth colliery have now gone and the former mine site has since been converted into Silksworth Sports Complex. Facilities at the sports complex include: