New Hartley
| New Hartley | |
  New Hartley |
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| Population | 2,001 |
|---|---|
| Unitary authority | Northumberland |
| Ceremonial county | Northumberland |
| Region | North East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WHITLEY BAY |
| Postcode district | NE25 |
| Dialling code | 0191 |
| Police | Northumbria |
| Fire | Northumberland |
| Ambulance | North East |
| EU Parliament | North East England |
| UK Parliament | Blyth Valley |
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Coordinates: 55°05′05″N 1°31′12″W / 55.084590°N 1.519869°W
New Hartley is a village in South East Northumberland, England, adjacent to Hartley, Seaton Delaval and Seaton Sluice. The village is just off the A190 road about 6 miles (9.7 km) north of Tynemouth and 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Blyth. In 2010 the village had a population of 2,001.Much to all villagers concerns [source needed] Barratt Homes recently announced new plans to build 286 homes on the outskirts of the village however this is now thought to be quashed.
The village is in the Labour stronghold of Blyth Valley, however noticeable UKIP support in the village might just overturn one of Labour's safest seats at this years General Election.
History
The village is historically linked to nearby Hartley village, which was originally an Anglo-Saxon settlement Records show that coal mining began in 1291 A number of pits were created and exhausted at Hartley, before a new pit called Hester was sunk at a site in between Seaton Sluice and Seaton Delaval. Soon after, families settled around the new mine, and the village of New Hartley was created.
Houses were built to the North and West of the pit, in a rough L shape, which included a Methodist chapel and an Inn, the "Hartley Hastings Arms" and New Hartley Workmens Club.
The New Hartley Pit Disaster occurred on 16 January 1862, it was during the change from the fore-shift to the back-shift when nearly all of the two shifts were still down the pit, that the beam of the pumping engine that kept the pit clear of water broke in two and 20 tons of cast iron plunged down the shaft stripping the brattices and rocks and blocking the one and only shaft. It took several days of heroic effort by rescue teams to reach the entombed men and boys - all to no avail all were dead. All in all 204 men and boys perished in the disaster. Either when the beam plummeted down the shaft or as a result of being entombed. A fitting Memorial to all of them is at St. Albans Church, Earsdon. Additionally the everlasting memorial is that Parliament quickly passed a law ensuring that all future pits opened had to have two shafts.
Autumn Watch BBC Television star Kate Humble was reduced to tears during the making of the BBC programme Who Do You Think You Are? when she discovered her family history was linked to the disaster. Kate's great, great, great-grandfather, Joseph Humble, was the manager of the New Hartley Hester Colliery when the tragedy claimed the life of his 27-year-old nephew, also called Joseph Humble.
Social facilities
The prestigious housing development of The Brambles was completed in 2008 adding 65 executive homes to the village.
The village boasts a friendly local pub called the Hartley Hastings (known locally as The Haggans - former licensee's Isaac and Jane Haggan ran the pub in 1950-1960's) and also a large Working Mens Club. It also has a Post Office, a fast food kebab and pizza takeaway along Double Row,which is the road leading to Seaton Delaval. Now annually the festive season unleashes four Christmas street lights erected outside the Post Office and adjoining Convenience Store.Within walking distance also along Double Row is to be found a well-supported, friendly and against national trend, vibrant Masonic Hall.
The cricket field is in the centre of the village and local team New Hartley Cricket Club regularly play here during the season.
Transport
Local transport is reasonable with the X4 operating a twice hourly service to and from Newcastle, with a 50-minute journey time. Much to residents moans and groans the X4 takes a not very Express route to Newcastle. Local bus operator Phoenix also provides a 5 times a day service (weekdays only) to nearby Cramlington. The old Blyth and Tyne Railway cuts through the eastern end of the village. Local campaigns to re-open this line to commuters have so far not succeeded, however if and when local campaign group SENRUG's attempts prove successful the village would benefit from a re opened Seaton Delaval station.
There are many quiet and pretty walks in the local area, with the many tracks and lanes being a testament to the village's proud but never forgotten mining history.
People of New Hartley
The village is home to ex-Liverpool and Arsenal footballer Ray Kennedy, who had begun his career with the New Hartley Juniors.
External links
Media related to New Hartley at Wikimedia Commons