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Coordinates: 55°02'N 1°32'W? / ?55.04, -1.53
Backworth is a small town in North Tyneside, about 3½ miles west of Whitley Bay on the North East coast of England.
[edit] The Village
The original part of Backworth is commonly referred to as the village. It is home to several cottages dating back to the 19th Century. There is also a church, Village Hall, a post office, Chinese take-away and two convenience stores.
Backworth is also home to Backworth Golf Course, the only 9-hole course in the area. Before people played golf here, this was the Miners' Welfare Hall.
[edit] History
Backworth was a centre of coal mining through the 19th Century and much of the 20th Century. Brickmaking took place just north of the village on the site of the former 'C Pit' from the late 19th to mid 20th Century. As late as 1950, 2,905 people were employed in the collieries in and immediately around Backworth.
In 1980 Backworth's last pit, Eccles Colliery, closed after 165 years of mining.
When the Metro rapid transit system replaced the British Rail passenger line through Backworth in 1980, Backworth Station had the distinction of being the only stop on the network to be closed due to lack of custom.
[edit] New Developments
In recent years Backworth has been subjected to substantial residential development alongside the A19 corridor. The new Northumberland Park Metro Station is centre of a new residential area between Backworth and Shiremoor and West Allotment. A new Sainsburys store was opened on 15th February.
Backworth is home to two traditional British brass bands - the Backworth Colliery Band and Junior Band. The Backworth Male Voice Choir rehearse in near-by Cullercoats.
(Source: Wikipedia) |