Tribute to miners 50 years on

Ten miners lost their lives and 29 were injured when two paddy mails - used to transport workers and equipment - crashed on February 3, 1966.

Exactly half a century on from the disaster, relatives of those killed unveiled a commemorative plaque at a ceremony at Silverwood Miners’ Welfare and Resource Centre, Doncaster Road.

A spokesman for the centre’s trustees said: “Nobody has ever done anything on the disaster and, with it being the 50th anniversary, we got together and decided that those who lost their lives should be recognised.

“It is long overdue and we decided that, in honour of those lads who died, we should have a plaque at the club.”

Members are also hoping to raise £16,000 for a memorial statue.

The trustees want to install it outside the club and attach the plaque to it.

The first shaft at Silverwood was sunk in 1900 and coal production started five years later. It closed in 1994.

For more information on the fundraising campaign visit www.facebook.com/silverwood.miners.