Further statues added to miners memorial

Virtual unveiling event

From Derbyshire County Council press release issued 17/8/2020

Fifteen new statues have been added to the ‘Walking Together’ mining memorial at our Markham Vale Business Park to commemorate miners who tragically lost their lives in 3 disasters at Markham Colliery.

The business park was developed by ourselves and HBD on the site of the former colliery and the memorial acts as a permanent reminder of the site’s strong mining heritage.

Each statue symbolises a miner’s journey to the pit and represents the men who lost their lives in the 3 accidents in 1937, 1938 and 1973.

The new statues takes the total of life-sized steel figures to 77 and we continue to work alongside partners to fundraise for all 106 miners to be commemorated.

Our Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis said:

“Although the landscape looks very different, Markham Vale is a hive of industry and employment today just as it was back when the pit stood there and, it’s important we don’t forget the area’s roots.

“As we enter the final stages towards completing the memorial project, I’d like to thank all the sponsors for their contributions so far, including Viridor Credits Environmental Company for funding the most recent group of figures through the Landfill Communities Fund.”

These most recent additions have been dedicated to:

We’ve been working with Beam, Markham Vale Heritage Group volunteers and local developers to recognise and honour the important historical significance of the area.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic it was not possible to hold a physical event to unveil the latest statues. Instead a short film has been produced by ourselves and our partners as a virtual commemoration.

Find out more information about the colliery and the miners who lost their lives.

Film and image credits: David John King.

Read the press release on the Derbyshire County Council site.