Sunderland miners reunite after 40 years apart
The friends worked together in the 70s, before the coal pits were shut down.
Tom Robson and Tom Watson read through the magazine which brought them back together
Submitted by Ellie Rathbone
Two local miners have been reunited after living 3000 miles apart for the past 40 years.
Tom Robson and Tom Watson met up in Sunderland, Tyne-and-Wear, after a chance encounter.
Robson was interviewed by Emerald Magazine, a lifestyle publication distributed to all McCarthy Stone developments, about his life and experiences.
The magazine was read by Philip Watson, McCarthy Stone house manager, who recognised some of the things Tom spoke about during his time down the mines.
Philip shared the magazine with his father, Tom Watson, who instantly recognised Robson, his former mentor.
Watson said: "I couldn’t believe what I was reading.
"My friend had returned home after almost 40 years in Canada.
"I was chuffed to read what a good life my old boss Tom had made for himself. I always had such respect for him.
"Working in the pits was dirty work, but it was where I learnt my craft and Tom Robson was such a big part of that.
"He looked after me and took me under his wing.
"We weren’t just work colleagues, we became close friends."
The pair worked in coal pits across Blyth, South Durham, and Northumberland for 35 years.
In the early 1980s, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher announced her plans to close 20 coal pits.
Robson took this as an opportunity to emigrate to Alberta in Canada to work as part of ‘the Smokey River Project’, coalmining across the pond.
Meanwhile, Watson stayed behind, finishing his career as colliery manager of three mines in Murton, Westoe and Ellington.
Robson lived in Canada for 39 years. He returned to the UK to be close to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Robson said: "Life has a funny way of coming full circle and more often than not, all roads lead back home.
"You can take the man out of the Northeast, but you can’t take the Northeast out of the man."
With help from Philip, Watson reached out to his old friend.
Robson said: "Being able to catch up with Tom has been a pleasure.
"We won’t be losing touch again."
After initially speaking over the phone, Robson and his wife, Edith, visited Watson at his home in Northumberland.
Watson also arranged a visit from their old colleague, Norman Jackson, and his wife, Jean.
The pair have since met up at Robson's home in Herriot Gardens.
Watson said: "I haven’t lived in Sunderland for almost 50 years myself, so I was eager to visit once Tom invited me down.
"I know the area very well, and the McCarthy Stone development is only 100 yards away from the church where my wife and I married.
"It’s been lovely to visit the area that holds many great memories for me and to see how Sunderland has changed over the years."
The friends are now keeping in regular contact and are determined not to lose touch again.
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