Finance & General Services Committee on Tuesday 12th May 2026, Town Hall, 65 Station Road, Ashington, NE63 8RX, commencing at 6:00pm.

The above meeting is open to the public to attend.

Agenda and papers are below.

 Agenda

 Supporting Docs

The Annual Meeting of the Council Meeting on Tuesday 26th May 2026, Town Hall, 65 Station Road, Ashington, NE63 8RX, commencing at 6:00pm.

The above meeting is open to the public to attend.

Agenda and papers will be available 3 days before the meeting.

The annual Northumberland Miners’ Picnic will host a solemn Miners’ Memorial Service on Saturday, 13th June 2026, at 10:30am at Woodhorn Museum. The service will pay tribute to the miners who dedicated their lives to Northumberland’s coal mines and remember those who lost their lives in the industry.

The memorial service, led by Ministers of Ashington Churches Together, forms a central part of the Northumberland Miners’ Picnic, a tradition that has celebrated the region’s mining heritage for generations. The service provides an opportunity for the community to come together in remembrance of the sacrifices made by miners and their families.

This years’ service will feature a particularly moving musical tribute, as the Ashington & District Male Voice Choir performs ‘Woodhorn Disaster’ — a powerful piece that names all 13 miners who lost their lives in the Woodhorn Colliery disaster of 1916. Written by Derek Hobbs and Mike Kirkup, the song forms part of their celebrated work ‘Fell ’em Doon’ and stands as a lasting testament to those who perished. The choir’s performance promises to be a deeply poignant moment in the service, ensuring that the names and memories of those 13 men are never forgotten.

“This memorial service stands as a poignant reminder of our mining heritage and honours all those who worked in the Northumberland Coal Mines,” said Business Chair Cllr Mark Purvis. “It’s a time for reflection and remembrance as we pay our respects to the miners who shaped our community.”

The service will take place at Woodhorn Museum, located in QEII County Park, Ashington (NE63 9YF), which serves as a fitting venue given its role in preserving and celebrating the area’s industrial heritage.

The Northumberland Miners’ Picnic has a rich history dating back generations, bringing together communities to celebrate mining culture and remember the industry’s impact on the region. The memorial service represents the more reflective aspect of this annual gathering, ensuring that the memory of Northumberland’s miners continues to be honoured.

All members of the public are welcome to attend the memorial service, which offers an important opportunity for both former mining families and the wider community to pay their respects.

For more information about the Northumberland Miners’ Picnic and the Memorial Service, please contact Sharon Parmley on 01670 624520 or email admin@ashingtontowncouncil.gov.uk