Sea Coal - UK

July 2006
Joe Smith, now in his 70s, is one of the last remaining sea coal collectors in England. Working down the shore from the mines, he collects coal washed up by the sea.

"It's a beautiful job. It keeps you healthy", states Joe. In its heyday, hundreds of other people worked alongside him, collecting an average of 2,000 tons of a coal every weekend. But since the mines have closed and demand for coal fallen, the others have slowly disappeared. "Now it's just old codgers like us."

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• UK
• England
• sea
• coal
• Collectors
• Shores
• news
• documentary
• current affairs
• journeyman
• journeyman pictures

[Strout88]

Joe seemed like a right legend. If only there were more people like him in our country.

[ooblet1]

Joe was my uncle and his life always seemed fairly normal when we were growing up. Only now I realise that he really was special and one of a kind.

What strikes me most is the nobility of his life and the strong community that he was a part of. He lived with the travelling community and was always seen as one of their own. They gave him a great send off on his passing.

When Joe left us we lost not just a great man but also a very unique and important part of our social history. He is missed.

[1superocky1]

so sad roy! pity you did not get to know about her before ! sure joe would not have wanterd that after all she did for him, heart breaking , kind regards rich, ps keep up the good work.

[Pitponyman]

I went to Newbiggin earlier this year and stayed in a nice frienly pub the new ship. I did see some coal on the beach and apprently there is one man knicknamed "Pie" who still uses a pony and cart to get the coal. From what I can gather it appears Joe's sister was left with the pony after Joe's death and couldn't cope so gave the pony away to a relative of Joe's called "Pie". Despite her age he tried to get her in foal, when that failed she was sold to a dealer and probably went for meat.

[1superocky1]

@Pitponyman did you ever hear anything about the pony roy ? nice thought about giving her a home !!! regards.

[Pitponyman]

Joe Smith has died. His pony Lulu has been sold. Would love to buy her and give her a retirement.  Anyone know where she has gone? Roy 07798 584735

[sandydogy]

@trahkered Thanks be new year after the winter as at min out of work but yes sometime in new year I will take my girlfriend there be a day out after March time when the weather gets warmer take care Ian

[trahkered]

@sandydogy The seacoal man with the tractor does not have a regular time at the beach it all depends on the tide. i have his phone number if you want it. i collected sea coal myself recently for the greenhouse at the allotment . my postcode is ne63 9tz i live ten minutes from these beaches. ill be happy to show you these areas if you like.

[sandydogy]

@trahkered whens this guy there and whats the postdcode dont want to drive from the midlands for nothing fuel is expensice take my gf for a day away from here

[1superocky1]

very interesting ,wonder if its still done ?

[fred1boots]

Nice to see them wearing Wellington Boots.