Shifting Times

In Houghton le Spring there is a new saliant artwork acknowledging its mining heritage called Shifting Times. It was created by Father and son, Ray Lonsdale, aka Two Red Rubber Things and Sam Lonsdale, aka Creative Ape. Like much of Ray's work, it should make you pause in your busy world, think of another, and contemplate what it felt like. Hopefully, youngsters will ask questions and be given the historical and emotional information associated with the area.

The display board gives the following information:

'This site was once home to Houghton Colliery, which produced its first coal in 1827 and closed in 1981. In July 2017 Sunderland Council agreed to dispose of 3.3 Hectares of the former Houghton Colliery site to a local developer, Hellens Group. Four years later it was confirmed that the anchor tenant would be Tescos, alongside Home Bargains. Work got underway in June 2023, with the construction of the new retail park, taking just under a year and a half to complete. Coalfield Sunderland Councillors, in partnership with Hellens provided funding to create artwork to commemorate all the people who worked at the colliery and recongise their contribution to the heritage of the local area.'

The helmet and cap lamp rest on the coat hooks. I am pondering how many pieces of Corten Steel are in the helmet. Any guesses?

The token is symbolic and 1981 is the year the colliery closed. Usually, tokens would have their own board, so it could be seen who was in or out of the pit. In this instance, it has metaphorically been hung up for the last time. Neil Hall (A Fabulous North friend) took the photo of the token showing all the detail that Ray and Sam put into their work as you can see with the keyring and hook.

Unlike most of Rays work this lights up at night. The cap lamp has be made such that it shines a beacon of light for a few hours in the dark.

From The My Sunderland website:

'Cllr Kevin Johnston, Copt Hill councillor and the portfolio holder for business, housing and regeneration at Sunderland City Council, worked with local councillors to secure the funding required for the sculpture from the Coalfield Area Committee and also spoke at the event. He said: "Now it is has finally been unveiled to the public, we can't wait to see people coming out to see the sculpture in its full glory. "When we first came up with the idea, we wanted something that would capture the hearts of residents and really pay homage to the town's mining heritage and I think I speak for everyone when I say Ray and Sam have achieved exactly that. "It is a beautiful tribute to the town's mining heritage and will ensure the memories and stories of Houghton Colliery live on through the generations." '

Here are two stunning photos that Kevin took.

Kevin also explained:

"The location falls right on the border between Houghton and Copt Hill wards and I was involved as portfolio holder for regeneration. My dad was a miner and I was born in the middle of 1984 during the strike. To be involved in the wider regeneration project of the former colliery site and the artwork with Ray and Sam Lonsdale has been brilliant."

Ray said:

"The hanging of the helmet, token, and head torch which make up the sculpture are symbolic of the end of a miner's shift, which is why, after so many months of trying to think of the perfect name, we finally came up with 'Shifting Times'.

The display board shows the artwork Ray created and both Ray and Sam's thoughts on the project. This photo was again kindly taken by Neil Hall.

The prose is succinct and I think I can spot the two red dots.

Nearby are interesting historical murals. Have a wander to see 4 murals depicting Houghton le Springs heritage. This photo was taken by Neil Hall.

There are other interesting things to see in Houghton le Spring, have a look at the Fabulous North map