Summer Walk No 4, Stobswood Country Park - Tuesday 22nd July 2025.
A warm, sunny evening provided the perfect weather for Walk Number Four on Tuesday, 22nd July 2025, as
members parked and gathered at the old Stobswood Opencast Site, located to the west of Widdrington. Not
previously visited as a club, the location saw a fantastic turnout of eighteen members who set off in a south
easterly direction and made their way along the grassy paths that crossed the restored landscape.
The aim was to find and photograph the 'Ace of Spades' Bucket, which had been left as a monument to the
industrial history of the area, as it was the largest dragline in Western Europe during its time at Stobswood.
The excavator's main job was not to dig out coal, but to scrape earth from above the coal seams with the
huge bucket, taking 100 tonnes in one scoop. The coal itself was then removed by smaller, manoeuvrable
equipment before the holes were then backfilled. The mine, which opened in 1990, produced 13-7 million
tons of coal and over 250,000 tons of fireclay during its operation, before closure in 2004.
After locating the huge machinery, we headed in a southerly direction towards Ulgham, and around two lakes
that have formed as a result of mining subsidence. These shallow wetland areas are home to a variety of local
wildlife, including swans, moorhens, little grebes, and grey herons, as well as seasonal visiting birds. Members
also observed and recorded wildflowers and butterflies while enjoying the calm, photographic evening.
UK Coal and the former Widdrington Regeneration Partnership restored the 580-hectare site. Much of the
area has been returned to agricultural use, with the lush meadows and young woodland making it a quiet
and pleasant place to have a wander. Thank you to all those who attended.
Davy.
members parked and gathered at the old Stobswood Opencast Site, located to the west of Widdrington. Not
previously visited as a club, the location saw a fantastic turnout of eighteen members who set off in a south
easterly direction and made their way along the grassy paths that crossed the restored landscape.
The aim was to find and photograph the 'Ace of Spades' Bucket, which had been left as a monument to the
industrial history of the area, as it was the largest dragline in Western Europe during its time at Stobswood.
The excavator's main job was not to dig out coal, but to scrape earth from above the coal seams with the
huge bucket, taking 100 tonnes in one scoop. The coal itself was then removed by smaller, manoeuvrable
equipment before the holes were then backfilled. The mine, which opened in 1990, produced 13-7 million
tons of coal and over 250,000 tons of fireclay during its operation, before closure in 2004.
After locating the huge machinery, we headed in a southerly direction towards Ulgham, and around two lakes
that have formed as a result of mining subsidence. These shallow wetland areas are home to a variety of local
wildlife, including swans, moorhens, little grebes, and grey herons, as well as seasonal visiting birds. Members
also observed and recorded wildflowers and butterflies while enjoying the calm, photographic evening.
UK Coal and the former Widdrington Regeneration Partnership restored the 580-hectare site. Much of the
area has been returned to agricultural use, with the lush meadows and young woodland making it a quiet
and pleasant place to have a wander. Thank you to all those who attended.
Davy.