Ralph Blance was born in Durham in 1927. He started work at Blackhall Colliery in 1941 and then obtained his 2nd and 1st Class Certificates of Competency in 1950Ralph Blance was born in Durham in 1927. He started work at Blackhall Colliery in 1941 and then obtained his 2nd and 1st Class Certificates of Competency in 1950and 1951 respectively, both from Sunderland Technical College. In 1956 he was appointed Undermanager at Bearpark Colliery and then in 1964 Manager at Thrislington Colliery. He took up the post of Manager of Bearpark Colliery in 1967 until it closed in 1984, when he retired.
He was NEIMME President in 1983-84.
Ralph Blance died in 2001.
Publication:
Blance, R. A Victorian hole in the ground and/or a beautiful retreat [Bearpark Colliery, Durham] [Presidential address NEIMME] Mining engineer 144 1984-5, 135-137
