Fund-raising for memorial to worst ever mining disaster half-way to target

The statue, designed by Barnsley-born sculptor Graham Ibbeson, will commemorate the Oaks Colliery disaster of December 12, 1866.

The colliery was situated at Stairfoot, near Darfield.

Underground firedamp and coal dust explosions killed 361 there, plus 27 men who went in to rescue them - including Graham’s great-grandad.

His figure of a worried miner’s wife, clutching a baby as she peers towards the site of the disaster, has now been cast in bronze.

Beneath the statue’s feet will be a miner, entombed by the mine’s collapse - Graham has sculpted this part in clay, but not yet in metal.

History group People and Mining has raised about half of the £130,000 needed for the four-metre monument and is still appealing for help.

Denied National Lottery funding, the campaigners are trying to meet the target through souvenir sales and fund-raising events.

Group member and former miner Bill Shaw said: “This year marks the 150th anniversary of this terrible tragedy - we should not let this occasion pass by unnoticed.

“It was not only a local disaster for the people of Barnsley and surrounding areas, it was a national disaster.

“This is our chance to pay tribute to the 361 who perished and leave a lasting memorial to remind future generations of the true price of coal.”

A day of entertainments at Barnsley’s Lamproom Theatre will raise funds for the campaign.

The event on Sunday, July 24, will feature two plays and an evening of music.

Tickets cost £10 each and are available from the Lamproom box office on 01226 200075.

For more information on the project, to see progress so far and to donate, visit facebook.com/RememberTheOaks.