Seaham Harbour

There are many reasons for visiting this little harbour town, the beaches are pretty good, the parking is free and the town is a successful renovation, in most parts. I know very little about the place although my grandparents met and lived there in Adolphus Street West in the early 20th century. My grandfather was injured in a stone fall at Vane Tempest Pit and left the industry. He used to tell me his facial scars were from fighting sharks off Featherbed Rocks! BTW I was about 5 at the time. My other grandfather was killed in a stone fall at Shotton Colliery a few miles away.

I'd hardly ever visited Seaham until about 5 years ago despite it being fairly close to home. My memories of a scruffy pit town were dashed when I discovered the work that has been done to revitalise the the place.

I had an ice cream sat outside on the main street this lunchtime. Amazing!!! Saw this memorial and grabbed a shot. It's been tweaked in Photoshop to darken the sculpture but leave the rest of the shot alone. A website comments says....

Seaham's latest cultural acquisition, "The Brothers - waitin' t' gan down" is located close to Barclays Bank in the town centre. The work is by artist Brian Brown and is dedicated in memory and respect to the industrial heritage of Seaham that fuelled the local economy. It is dedicated to all those who worked so hard below ground and under the sea at Seaham, Dawdon and Vane Tempest Collieries....to provide energy for Britain's homes and industries for so many years risking life and limb.