the landing as a datal hand and was to send sets of four full tubs outbye (to the shaft bottom) on the haulage rope and then to make sure the putters had plenty of chumins (empty tubs) that came back on the haulage rope' In 1948 Lamb's job was hand-putting until 1950 although for Lamb this work was too physically demanding he would scrape his spine on the low roofs which would never heal properly. After these two years of working in these poor conditions Lamb asked to be transferred back to datal work; here he worked until the pit closed in 1969 and he was made redundant. Artwork Lamb documented his entire career underground through taking his sketch books to work with him every day. He was able to capture the true emotion and daily tasks that miners experienced on the day to day. Lamb’s sketches and paintings shows a realism to mining that some other artists are not able to capture. Lamb used his brother frequently as a model when working underground as he was able to ask John to hold certain positions. He would start by taking quick sketches of the scenes that were taking place underground as well as making notes and comments about each sketch he produced. It was in his later years that Lamb began to turn his sketches into the artwork one can see today in exhibitions. Some of Lamb's artwork is still available to view at the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers, Newcastle. Personal life Lamb married his wife Margaret in December 1972. 'They travelled widely, something Tom had never been able to do when a miner', they visited Italy, Germany, Switzerland and France. In 1984 Lamb and his wife moved 'to York Crescent, Newton Hall' Notable exhibitions Exhibitions include: 1998 Fading Memories, The Mall, Crook 1999 Fading Memories exhibited at the Town Hall Gallery, Bishop Auckland 2001 Returned to Crook to hold an exhibition entitled My Mining Days 2004 The Footprints Of My Years, Town Hall, Bishop Auckland 2008 My Mining Days, Town Hall, Bishop Auckland 2008–9 My Mining Days exhibited at the Mining Museum for England in Wakefield 2010 My Mining Days exhibited at Grey College, University of Durham Notable works Towneley bank bottom Despair Putting the lazy man in Lowse The Kist Having a nap Mum and Dad Raw sausage for his bait The stretcher