A PERMANENT memorial to a Doncaster town’s mining heritage has gone on display.
The Edlington National Union of Mineworkers banner has been unveiled in the Martinwells Centre.
The
union banner from when Yorkshire Main Colliery employed thousands in
Edlington was recovered from the dusty archive of Doncaster Council’s
museum service by Frank Arrowsmith and Jimmy Kelly.
Mr
Arrowsmith, chairman of the Yorkshire Main Commemorative Trust: “It was
a brilliant event. It was great to meet some old friends from as far
afield as Blyth in the North East and Nottingham.
“It
was quite an emotional occasion. The banner followed the life of the
branch at galas, demonstrations and funerals. It is part of Edlington’s
industrial heritage and now it has a new home in the heart of the
village.”
Don Valley MP Caroline Flint joined councillors and NUM officials for the official unveiling.
She added: “People in Edlington know what this banner represents – and the journeys it has made.
“I
met men and women today who found the ceremony very moving and want the
history of the NUM Edlington Branch and the Yorkshire Main colliery to
be remember.
“This historic banner’s new home at the Martinwells Centre will remain a living reminder of the history of this community.”
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