Remembering those who lost their lives in Notts mines

Mineworkers memorial service at the site of the Sherwood Colliery Pit Wheel, tying black ribbons on the Colliery wheel in remembrance

Wreaths and ribbons were tied to the pit wheel just of Debdale Lane, Mansfield Woodhouse, yesterday (Saturday, October 21).

Sherwood Colliery Pit has 96 recorded deaths from 1902 until it closed in 1992.

Ann Donlan, 69, from Mansfield and the Secretary for Notts NUM Ex and Retired Miners Association, said : “For us it is as much about pride as it is loss. It is obviously a sad day but we are remembering with pride an industry that led the county and warmed our homes.”

Mineworkers memorial service at the site of the Sherwood Colliery Pit Wheel, Coun Alan Rhodes lays a wreath for Nottinghamshire County Council

After respects were paid at the pit wheel the ex miners and members of the public walked to the Sherwood Colliery Welfare centre on Dunsil Road.

At the centre there was a book for people to leave tributes to those who died in the mines and a choir also sung.

Pete Fidler, 67, from Mansfield Woodhouse, who laid the first wreath at the memorial and was the NUM president and miner at Sherwood Colliery till it closed. He said: “Laying the wreath was about the most emotional part, it was a great honour. While I was at the colliery three people died, two were young lads their lives were cut short at such a young age.”

Frank Worboys, 77, from South Normington worked at the mine from the age of 15.

He said: “The day has brought back so many memories, it has been so nice to see everybody.

“You might think they are rough diamonds but they are the first to pick you up.

“I personally knew six people who died.”