The pit was a small concern, worked first by Robson and Jackson and then the West Hetton Coal Company.

It merged with Tursdale colliery in 1931 and grew to be one of the largest in the Durham coalfield, working six seams and with over 2,500 employees in the 1950s.

The day of the annual Durham Miners' Gala (also called "the Big Meeting") used to see large unions of men marching through the village, as Bowburn was en route to Durham for some surrounding pit villages.

Local residents have, with the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund, had two of Bowburn's original miners’ banners restored and a new one produced to be paraded at the Gala.

Other events also celebrated the village's centenary year, including a party and firework display in Bowburn Park, exactly 100 years after Gertrude Bell (as daughter of the Chairman of Bell Brothers) cut the first sod on 23 July 1906 to commence the sinking of the downcast shaft.

However, there has been significant development of owner occupied housing along the eastern edge of the village, and on the old secondary school site.

As part of the regeneration project, the park was upgraded, with new football fields, an outdoor gym and an excellent children's play area, as well as significant improvements to such community facilities as Bowburn Community Centre and the DJ Evans Youth Club (aka Bowburn Youth Project).

A local community partnership has met monthly since the start of the regeneration project, and welcomes all residents interested in contributing to the improvement of the village and surrounding area.