Park statues dedicated to fallen miners in Sutton tragedy set for £12,000 revamp

The statues have suffered wear and tear since they were installed in 2009.

The five timber miners standing in Brierley Forest Park will be replaced by stone ones after suffering wear and tear over the years.

The £12,000 project has been led by deputy leader of Ashfield District Council, councillor Tom Hollis, who has worked with park users and residents.

He said: “The existing sculptures are falling into disrepair – that’s why we took the decision to replace them.”

The five timber miners standing in Brierley Forest Park will be replaced by stone ones.

On February 28, 1957, tragedy struck at Sutton Colliery when an explosion resulted in the death of five miners. A total of 15 others suffered serious burns.

Sutton Colliery is now the location of Brierley Forest Park and the five timber statues stand proud to commemorate the fallen.

Tom added: “By turning these statues into stone, we are ensuring that the legacy of the five miners who gave their lives is remembered for future generations.”

The original statues were installed on the popular park in 2009 and carved by local artist Robert Koing.

Working with park users including volunteer John Hill, the new replacement statues will take pride of place near the café in the park.

Tom added: “We are proud of our mining heritage and these statues commemorate not just the five miners who died or the 15 who were seriously injured, but every miner who gave so much in our collieries.”

The new statues will be carved by a local stonemason using Stanton Moor, which is a Derbyshire gritstone.

John Hill, 82, has volunteered in the park for decades. He undertakes daily litter picks in the car park near the visitor’s centre and café.

John lives close to the park and knew most of the five miners who died in the 1957 disaster.

He said: “The disaster 63 years ago is still as fresh in my mind as it was then.

"Our whole community went into shock as we rallied around to help the families of those who died and those who were injured.

"It brought home the dangers of mining. Miners gave blood, sweat and tears for the cause.

"That has been the reason our community has worked so hard for our park. I am pleased that the five statues will be replaced by stone ones.

"We are passionate about commemorating and indeed celebrating our mining past. I would like to thank councillor Tom Hollis and his team for continuing to ensure we do exactly that.”