Crook

Little more than a hamlet before the 19th Century, with a few houses and a water-mill, the town grew after the establishment of the mining industry. At one time there were around 26 pits in and around the town. Since 1960, the town has undergone a gradual and significant change from long-established deep mining and coke works, to short-lived general light industry and dormitory town. Current population around 15000.