Work has started on a new publication that will highlight the experiences of people who lived in a village when it was a mining community.
Pegswood Parish Council has commissioned local historian Neil Taylor for the project and two open days, where members of the public could meet him and leave their contact details, have taken place.
The author has previously written books, which include old photographs, about a number of Northumberland coalfield towns and villages, including Lynemouth, Ellington and Widdrington Station and Stobswood. Most of them have been part of ‘The People’s History’ series.
As well as life at the colliery, there will be sections on Pegswood in the days before coal mining, its social life, such as the clubs and welfares, how the village’s school provision developed and changed, the connection with Bothal and events in recent years like when evidence of a Later Iron Age and Romano-British Farmstead Settlement was discovered at Pegswood Moor.
Mr Taylor said: “I was pleased with how the open days went and the second one in particular was very well attended.
“I’ve got some good contacts and I look forward to speaking with them. When it comes to the interviews, it helps that I’m a former miner.
“Most of the book will be based upon people’s stories and it will show how Pegswood changed from a farming community into a mining community.”
Jean and Dave Froud and their son John attended the second open day.
John said: “There’s a lot of interest in the village about Pegswood’s history and we’re looking forward to participating in the project and reading the book when it’s completed.”