Heritage

Blue Plaque Unveiled for the Miners of North Farm in Blyth

A blue plaque and information lectern now mark the North Farm Miners' Memorial Garden, on the old path generations of miners walked to and from Bates Colliery.

Blyth.live·7 October 2026

Blyth has a new blue plaque, and this one honours the people who did as much as anyone to build the town: the miners of North Farm. The plaque, together with a new information lectern, was unveiled on Thursday 1 October at the North Farm Miners' Memorial Garden, on the corner of Temple Avenue and Walton Avenue (NE24 5EU).

For people on the estate it brings official recognition to a spot that local residents created themselves, and a chance for newer neighbours to learn why it is there.

A path to Bates Colliery

The memorial garden sits on an old pathway that miners living at North Farm walked every day on their way to and from Bates Colliery. The plaque remembers the generations who made that journey, including the many who lost their lives or suffered illness because of their work below ground. The lectern explains the history of the garden and why it matters to the neighbourhood.

A garden made by the community

The garden began as a project of the North Farm Residents and Community Association, set up in 2001. It grew out of a gardening club led by resident Isobel Foster, which got young people involved in looking after the site. The association then raised money to design, commission and install the Pit Lad and Pony statue that stands there today.

The unveiling was led by the Mayor of Blyth, Councillor Mark Peart, with councillors, residents and members of the local mining community. He said it had been "a real privilege to unveil this Blue Plaque and information lectern today and to recognise the miners who travelled this route to and from Bates Colliery."

Best for: The garden is now listed among Blyth Town Council's commemorative plaques. Read the council's announcement and a report on the unveiling.

Explore more of Blyth's mining story

The North Farm plaque joins others around the town that mark people and places from Blyth's past. For the bigger picture, read our guides to the staithes and coal heritage of Blyth and the Blyth heritage walking trail.

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