Choppington "A" Colliery drew its last coals during the weekend of July 15th - 16th, 1966, and with it the oldest miners lodge in the country went out of existence, which was formed in 1801.
The lodge was the oldest and also had some of the greatest names in the history of mining on its books at one time or another. Thomas Burt was one of the first miners' representatives to enter the House of Commons as an M.P. was secretary. Sir William Lawther's father was a secretary of the Choppington Branch and his uncle was a chairman.
Two other former Members of Parliament were connected with the branch Mr J. Cairns and Mr C. Fenwick. Mr J. Fenwick, who was once manager of Choppington "A" Pit, and left to manage Bedlington "A" Pit, was the grandson of Mr C. Fenwick.
As the lodge closed, Mr George Jamieson, chairman, and other men, held a "get together" in Scotland Gate Club on Friday, July 15th, 1966. Mr Tom Holliday, president of the Northumberland Area of the National Union of Mineworkers, presented gifts to officials. Wallets of money were given to Mr Jamieson, Mr E. Suthers, secretary, Mr H. Watson, financial secretary, and seven other committee members.
There had been few redundancies at Choppington "A" Pit, and the miners were transferred to other local collieries.

The above photograph of the Queens Head, Guide Post, was situated where the roundabout is today. It was demolished to make way for the roundabout. The man holding the horses head is Joe Lawson who was a master mason, and responsible with the help of others of the building of Storey's Buildings, Choppington, and  many other streets in our locality. Joe Lawson was also responsible for the building of the High Main Stables in the Bothal Pit, and also assisted in the building of the first Stakeford Bridge in 1909.
It is also interesting to note that at the end of a Lodge Meeting of the West Sleekburn miners at the Lord Barrington Inn, Stakeford, on October 15th, 1890, the chairman, Mr. James Hunter, referred to the desirability of having a bridge built over the river at Stakeford.
The first meeting was held at the Grand Hotel, Ashington, and the first committee formed comprised, James Hunter, William Tait (secretary) R. Lowther, M. Ferguson, W. Simpson, A. Cummings, J. Snowdon, P. Shaw, J. Ord, A. Hunter and E. Young, all from West Sleekburn and Stakeford. North Seaton was represented by Mr. Wheatley (ferryman) J. Johnson, G. Johnson, Mr. Young, A. Black and W. Trotter. From Cambois, J. McAllister, D. Wilkinson, T. Round and T. Agnew.
Bedlington were represented by Andrew Fairbairn, H. Sadler, J. Cramer, John Cain, Mr. Eddington, Mr. Laws, and Mr. Moralee. Mr. Ralph Young was the only person to represent Newbiggin.
It was on September 11th, 1909, that the bridge was finally opened. To commemorate the event, a bronze tablet was fixed to the eastern side of the bridge which bore the inscription: Stakeford Bridge, opened September 11th, 1909. Committee: John Bell, William Collins, James Cowan, John Craigs, John Cramer, Peter Dickinson, Alderman Andrew McHugh, Robert Nicholson, Ralph Rutherford, Henry Sadler, James Strong, William Tait, John Wilkinson, John Willis, Herbert Wilson, E. Charlton, engineers D. Balfour & Sons, contractors Brim & Co.
When the ceremony was completed the company went to the North Seaton Hotel where tea was served.