Ashington

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Ashington
latitude= 55.1809
longitude= -1.5681
population= 27,335 (2001 census)
shire_district= Wansbeck
shire_county = Northumberland
region= North East England
constituency_westminster= Wansbeck
post_town= ASHINGTON
postcode_district = NE63
postcode_area= NE
dial_code= 01670
os_grid_reference= NZ2787

Ashington is a town in the Wansbeck district of Northumberland, England.

Ashington has a population of around 27,000 people and it was a centre of the coal mining industry.

Ashington was built up from being a small hamlet in the 1840s, as the Duke of Portland constructed housing to encourage workers escaping the potato famine to come and work at the local collieries he was founding. As in many other parts of Britain, "deep pit" coal mining in the area declined during the 1980s and 1990s leaving just one colliery, Ellington until January 2005. In 2006 limestone was found in the town and plans for an opencast mine on the outskirts of the town have been put forward, although many people have objected to it. During the peak time of coal-mining, it was considered to be the "world's largest coal-mining village". There is now a debate about whether Ashington should be referred to as a town or a village—if accepted as a village it would be one of the largest villages in England.

Ashington is also the name of a village in West Sussex. The mining workers of Ashington in Northumberland gave a 'Hooky mat' to their friends in West Sussex, where it is now displayed in the village hall.

An Ashington urban district was created in 1896, covering part of the parish of Ashington and Sheepwash and part of the parish of Bothal Demesne. It took in Hirst in 1914, then Sheepwash, most of Woodhorn and the remainder of Bothal Demesne in 1935. The urban district survived until 1974, when under the Local Government Act 1972 it became part of the Wansbeck district. [ [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10299792&c_id=10001043 Ashington Tn/CP Northumberland through time | Administrative history of Parish-level Unit: hierarchies, boundaries ] ]

Many inhabitants have a distinctive accent and dialect known as Pitmatic. This varies from the regional dialect known as Geordie.

In 1934 some of the Ashington miners enrolled in painting classes as an alternative pastime, and then began to produce paintings to sell at local markets to supplement their poor wages. They achieved unexpected success and approval from the art community and were given prestigious gallery exhibitions during the 1930s and 1940's under the name "The Pitmen Painters", although the group had called themselves "The Ashington Group". In the 1970s the group's work was 'rediscovered' and popularised as "workers' art" and given international exhibitions. On 26 October 2006 a new £16m museum housing the work was opened in Ashington by Princess Anne. [ [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,1932735,00.html Pitmen Painters get royal seal of approval - and a gallery of their own | | Guardian Unlimited Arts ] ]

In October 2008, plans to opencast 2m tonnes of coal in Ashington were approved. UK Coal's plans which were first submitted in 2005, would create 60 jobs. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/7656285.stm |title=Mining village pit plan approved |publisher=BBC Tyne News |date=2008-10-07 |accessdate=2008-10-07]

port

The town is home to Ashington A.F.C. and has produced no less than 10 professional footballers Jack Milburn, Jackie Milburn, Jimmy Adamson, Jackie Charlton, Bobby Charlton, Colin Ayre, David Thompson, Chris Adamson, Martin Taylor and Peter Ramage.

Cricketing brothers Steve Harmison and Ben Harmison are also from the town.

Property developer Sir John Hall, former Chairman and Life President of Newcastle United Football Club was born in the town in 1933.

Also golfer Kenneth Ferrie who has played on the PGA Tour originates from Ashington.

Motorcycle speedway racing was staged at the football ground in 1972 when two meetings took place. The team, which raced one match, were known as the Ashington Arrows.

References

ee also

*List of towns in England

Further reading

*

External links

* [http://www.ashingtoncollieryband.org.uk Ashington Colliery Band]
* [http://www.ashington-ne.co.uk Ashington Community website]
* [http://www.northland.ac.uk Northumberland College]
* [http://www.ashingtonsalvationarmy.org.uk Ashington Salvation Army]