What's new at Beamish 2 - pit pony stable

Sadly, I had to miss the official opening of the pit pony stables at Beamish Museum last year as I was away on travels. My visit to Beamish last month gave me the opportunity to have a look at this new exhibit, built next to the recreated mining village.

It is interesting to note that as recently as 1983, there was a pit in the North East of England still using pit ponies. This pit was Marley Hill, just up the road from where I live. The ponies were retired when the pit closed in 1983 and went to a pony retirement home. I think the last one died only about 3 years ago.