A changing world...........

This month’s painting is called “Pit Rows, Lemington” & John painted it during the demolition of the pit village in 1969. Percy Pit heap can be seen in the background - the remains of Lloyd Street are on the left & Stanley Street on the right. Even today people look back with very fond & vivid memories of the close knit community that once lived there. The whole area has become a peaceful nature reserve with the remains of the heap hidden under hundreds of trees & there are vast areas of grassland where the houses once stood. People now enjoy walking, cycling, horse riding & the great views of the Tyne Valley from the top of the old pit heap. There is an abundance of wildlife & wild flowers & the reserve has been designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Importance due to its grassland butterflies. The painting will be exhibited at the Tyne & Tide exhibition opening at South Shields Museum & Art Gallery on 13th November.