WHEN Settlingstones mine, near Newbrough, closed in 1969, Billy Nichol and a few of his colleagues ensured its iconic Ellen shaft wheel was retained in the community.

And in 2004, Billy was finally granted his wish when the wheel was restored to its former glory, and erected in Fourstones as a permanent tribute to all mine and quarry workers who served the parishes of Newbrough and Fourstones.

Now tributes are pouring in for Billy, who died last Thursday at the age of 102, just weeks after he became a great-great grandfather.

Just two years ago, the centenarian enthusiastically recalled those heady days of mineral extraction at Settlingstones, which produced 630,000 tonnes of witherite and employed over 70 men.

An expert engineer, Billy made a major contribution to the vital supply of witherite to the steel industry.

Settlingstones mine operated for nearly a century after it first opened in 1873. It was the world’s primary commercial producer of witherite, a compound used in the hardening of steel, as well as for making cement, glass, soap, dye, and even rat poison.

“You hadn’t to be frightened of hard work,” said Billy at the time of his 100th birthday. “But it was a way of life and it was rewarding because you had friends there and you got on with it together.”

After the sad demise of the mine, Billy and friends loaded the Ellen headgear and pulley onto a wagon for safe keeping. It was never needed for its original purpose again, but his intervention led to its eventual restoration.

Born into a farming family at Matfen in 1913, Billy was always destined for a life in mining after moving to Brokenheugh, near Haydon Bridge, and starting work at Settlingstones at the age of 14.

Billy settled in Newbrough. He was married to Dora for almost 70 years, before her death in 2004. They had two children, Maurice, and the late Jean.

Maurice was also employed at the mine, before the pair were eventually forced to travel the district seeking work. They ended up at Nenthead and Stanhope Burn, where fluorspar was mined.

A long-serving member of Fourstones Methodist Chapel, Billy was renowned for repairing washing machines and cookers, mending fences and gates, and even providing a taxi service to the post office for local pensioners.

He even received a special award from the Duke of Northumberland for his services to the village.

Billy was a great friend of fellow Newbrough personality Jack Charlton, a well-known councillor and vintage car enthusiast, who died 10 years ago, aged 94.

Despite breaking his hip during a fall shortly before his 100th birthday, Billy remained at home with the support of carers, and long-term family friend Ella White.

Ella said: “He really loved this community, and there was nothing you could tell him that he didn‘t already know.

“I think he took it upon himself to research local history from even before his time. He loved the people and the places, and he would do anything to help anyone.”

Over the years, Billy built up a fascinating collection of old photographs, and also kept fluorspar and witherite mineral specimens.

Billy is survived by his son Maurice; granddaughter Paula; great grandson Christopher; and newborn great-great grandson Darcy.

A funeral will take place at Fourstones Methodist Chapel, on Wednesday, at 10.30am, followed by a cremation at Newcastle’s West Road Crematorium, at midday.