News - Memorial builders (Edlington)

WORK is under way on a memorial garden being built to remember the 133 men who died working at a Doncaster colliery.


The Yorkshire Main Commemorative Trust has started work on the garden in memory of those killed working at the pit, in Edlington, between 1909 and 1985.

Chairman of the Yorkshire Main Commemorative Trust, Frank Arrowsmith, said: “This garden and the Yorkshire Main memorial wall have been a two-and-a-half year labour of love.”

Don Valley MP Caroline Flint and Edlington ward Coun Phil Cole joined trust members to see work on the £30,000 plaque and arch scheme get under way.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/memorial-builders-1-5102630

News - NUM banner to former Yorkshire Main Colliery is unearthed (Yorkshire Main)

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.”

From: http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/community/num_banner_to_former_yorkshire_main_colliery_is_unearthed_1_4218613

 

News - Another brick in the wall for miners’ monument (Edlington)

WORK is under way on a wall which will commemmorate a former Doncaster colliery.

Workmen are building the wall in Edlington to remember the Yorkshire Main pit, which was closed 25 years ago following the miners’ strike.

Several former NUM officials including Andy Summers, Frank Arrowsmith and Jim Kelly devised the plan for the wall in a bid to revitalise the area.

They formed The Yorkshire Main Commemorative Trust, with the aim of honouring the culture and heritage of the mine for present and future generations.

They are also building a paved landscaped area, near to the Edlington Community Centre.

A further aim of the Trust is to erect a monument, with the design set to be created by pupils at the Sir Thomas Wharton College.

Plaques will honour miners who have died from industrial diseases as a result of their lifetime of work, as well as those who were killed in industrial accidents at Yorkshire Main.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/community/another_brick_in_the_wall_for_miners_monument_1_3522559