The little clifftop village between Sunderland and South Shields which disappeared around 60 years ago
Marsden Village may be long gone but we are sure the memories will survive of the little community which once served coal mining families.
More than 150 years ago, Whitburn Coal Company bought quarries in Marsden and built shafts into the coal seams.
The purpose-built village for 600 people
Soon, the colliery was employing lots of people and a purpose-built village was needed to house them.
It led to Marsden Village being born complete with nine streets, about 135 houses, a church, a Methodist chapel, a Co-op store, a post office, a school, and a Miners’ Institute. Research shows that around 600 people lived there at its peak.
Another local feature was the local railway line which served South Shields, Marsden and Whitburn Colliery, and was known locally as the Marsden Rattler.
Perched on clifftops and open to the elements
Rail links dwindled and passenger services died out in 1953. Meanwhile, Marsden Village itself was facing its doubters.
It was not to everyone’s taste, especially because it was perched on clifftops and was subject to the elements.
ChatGPT told us: “Because of that exposure, many miner families didn’t live in the village itself; some wives refused to move there.”
Little of the community remains now
The whole community’s fate came into question when the colliery began to be hit by rising costs, mostly because of problems with water getting in.
The pit shut in 1968 and a decision was made that the houses should be demolished. Little of the old village remains now, other than the stories and memories of the people who lived there.
Tell us if you or one of your family has memories of Marsden Village. Get in touch and share your stories by emailing [email protected]