Thirty youngsters from the Meden family of schools spent a week learning about mining and local heritage. The week was co-ordinated by Meden School teacher Mrs Tina Sherwood, assisted by Stuart Moody, of Birklands School, and archaeologist John Crossland.

Funding for the project had been received from the school and Nottinghamshire County Council. John Crossland said that the aim was to get the children interested in learning about their own local history.

During the week Edwin Tattersall gave an illustrated talk about old Warsop. There was a trip to the National Mining Museum at Caphouse Colliery, near Wakefield, and they went down the mine. They also visited Warsop Vale where they spoke to many residents about the former mining community. Mr Jack Winfield and Mr Nicholas, of Warsop Vale Historical Society, gave illustrated talks about the growth and demise of the local mining community. Written and artistic work was produced through the week, including a selection of mining poems written by Tia Duckmanton and Bethany Smith, from Meden School.

Jennifer Dobbs and Alex Wood, pupils at Sherwood Street Junior School, said that they were amazed at how much machinery the miners used.

Emily Shields, from Birklands Primary School, had learned a lot about mining, and Kiera Johnson and Chloe Johnson, from Eastlands Junior School, said that they had made a lot of friends during the week and now realised just what a dangerous job miners do. Meden School pupil Simon Harper was shocked at the young age children were sent down mines to work.

The week culminated in a presentation by the youngsters, pictured, at the Tudor Barn, Warsop. Dressed in period mining costume, from the early 20th century, they performed their own version of the Proclaimers' song, 'I'm Gonna Be', and called it 'I Would Mine 500 Miles'.

Guest of honour was Mr Jack Winfield, of Warsop Vale Historical Society, who presented each child with a miniature brass Davy Lamp.

There will be a display of all the youngsters' work at Malcolm Sargison Resource Centre, Warsop Vale, starting on 4th September.