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	This site is no-longer being updated a new and very much improved site is taking its place and can be found: www.bearpark-online.co.uk Using the new site anyone can: Upload pictures Upload stories Create Forums Create Polls add names to pictures amend names on pictures Comment on pictures Some of the functionality of this site has also been lost, however I will not be correcting it as I will only update the new site from now on


Bearpark is a very small ex-pit village 2 miles from Durham City center it's Colliery was the last in the Durham coal field to be closed. The name Bearpark was derived from Beaurepaire (French meaning Beautiful Retreat) which was the name of a Norman Country House, know to locals as "The Ruins" It is reckoned that even these Norman settlers used mined coal to warm their buildings. Bearpark had three main exports due to the sinking of the Colliery, Coal, Coke and Bricks. Bearpark became internationally famous for Coke, no not the snorting or the drinking kind but the burning kind. Raw material from the pit was fired in coke ovens alongside the railway, and was exported around the world. The Coke and Brick industries died mid century. The Pit was closed in 1984, which brought an end to the last of Bearpark's exports. I think by far though that the greatest export that Bearpark can boast is people.
News: Sept 2002
The BBC has shown an interest in some of the photo's contained in this site in relation to a new period drama called 'Daniel Deronda'. The book was written by George Eliot has been adapted by Andrew Davies starring Hugh Bonneville, Edward Fox and Greta Scacchi.

This site was created by Gary Taylor
If you are the owner of any of the photos shown in this site and you take exception to me using your photo then contact me and I will remove it

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