As Sunderland's need for more space was
acknowledged it's borough was extended and so Washington was
designated a new town in July 1964, when the final extension occurred
Washington Urban Districts joined Sunderland to form a new borough
within Tyne & Wear in 1974. The designation of Washington New Town led
to considerable improvement in the physical landscape and offered a
suitable strategic site for major growth.
Washington is built around old villages, colliery rows and individual
farms, which housed about 20,000 people in 1964. The new town has 18
residential areas or 'villages' planned to accommodate about 4,500
people per village and contain schools, churches, pubs, social centres
and a range of shops. Out of a population of about 55,000 people in
1987 nearly 30% is below 15 years old and less than 7% over 65 years
old, 5% of the family groupings in the new town are single parent
families.
Washington 'F' Pit's magnificent Victorian steam engine, engine house
and headgear are preserved as a monument to Washington's coalmining
heritage that reaches back over 250 years. 'F' Pit, opened in 1777,
was one of the country's oldest working pits. It closed in 1968, six
years before coalmining in Washington ceased completely.
The industrial monument is the last of its type in the North East.
Visitors can discover what life was like for miners in the region and
listen to tales of workers travelling down into the pits. The
impressive winding engine that once took pitmen to the coal face and
brought coal to the surface can be seen working, now turned by an
electric motor.
To replace declining industries new firms were being attracted, light
engineering services and employment for women. The first one being the
Galleries, marked by the only high rise building in the town, here
shops, offices and services are centralized, which meet the new towns
needs.
The Galleries Shopping centre situated in Washington has a great range
of over 200 shops. The Galleries also has a number of leisure
attractions near by. A swimming pool and fitness club at Washington
Leisure centre, all within easy walking distance from the Galleries
Shopping Centre.
An economic recession in the 1980's did however cause a rapidly high
rate of unemployment in Washington, as factories and small businesses
closed or relocated. It was the arrival of Nissan in 1985 which
provided a much needed boost and recent signs suggest the new town is
continuing to generate jobs.
Washington Wildfowl Park is an important sanctuary. it is home to over
900 ducks, geese, swans and flamingos and 197 species of wild birds,
in a natural setting of 100 acres of ponds, lakes and woods on land
sloping to the River Wear.
As the new town matures, Washington has assumed an important role in
the life of the area.
