Oakenshaw, County Durham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oakenshaw |
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 Institute Street, Oakenshaw photographed in December 2009 |
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| Population | 470 (2001 census) |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| EU Parliament | North East England |
Oakenshaw is a small village located in County Durham, England. You can find it just north of another town called Willington. According to a count taken in 2001, about 470 people lived in Oakenshaw.
Contents
A Village Built for Coal
Oakenshaw was originally created as a special village just for coal miners. It was built for the people who worked at a large coal mine owned by a company called Messrs. Straker & Love. Digging for the mine started in 1855. Working in coal mines was very tough and dangerous back then.
What Happened When the Mine Closed?
When the coal mine eventually closed down, the village of Oakenshaw faced many changes. It lost its local school and chapels, which were important community buildings. Several rows of houses were also taken down. The houses that remained are now owned by private families. Over time, new homes have also been built in the village.
The coal mine actually reopened for a short time between 1991 and 1993. However, this didn't really help the village's economy much. Around the year 2000, the Working Men's Club, a popular gathering place, also closed. Eventually, the building was destroyed, and new houses were built in its place. This meant Oakenshaw no longer had a club or a pub.
Green Spaces and Wildlife
Even though the mine closed, Oakenshaw still has some great outdoor areas. There's a large public field at one end of the village. This field runs next to a street called New Row. It has a small football pitch and a playing area where people can enjoy sports and games.
The Wildlife Reserve
After the mine closed, a special area was turned into a Wildlife Reserve. This reserve is made up of woodlands and pond areas. It's located where the open-pit mine used to be. This means that a place once used for industry is now a home for nature and local wildlife.
