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Unveiling of Lyme and Wood Pit Mining Memorial

10th Sept, 2009.

Photos and text by Tony Haslam.

The mining industry was the mainstay of local civilisation for generations, but it also claimed many lives.

Ex colliers and miners from the Wigan and St Helens area were invited to attend a special ceremony to see the unveiling of a permanent memorial to their late colleagues and predecessors.

A landfill site now occupies the ground mined at the Lyme and Wood pits in Haydock and up to now only the retention of their names in the tips' title has anknowledged the land's former use.

Recycling and waste management firm Cory Environment has ensured a piece of local heritage is preserved. The company invited former miners to the unveiling on Thursday, 10th September, 2009 at 11am.

Cory has been working with local representatives for the memorial for many months.

There were some terrible accidents and explosions, the most disastrous being the Wood pit explosion in 1878 when 204 men and boys were tragically killed. Lyme pit saw tragedy too with explosions and the loss of two Mines Rescue men in 1946.

James Brennan, a retired mineworker, colliery official and union representative gave a speech before the unveiling of the memorial and said how proud he had been in taking part on this special day to remember all those who perished in the past.

Father Rodney Middleton of St Jame's the Great Church, Haydock gave the dedication to the memorial.

A finger buffet followed and many men met up with colleagues they hadn't seen for many years.

Nice weather
Nice weather
The top of the memorial
The top of the memorial
Memorial
Memorial
Memorial
Memorial
The memorial plaque
The memorial plaque
The crowd listen to Father Middleton
The crowd listen to Father Middleton
Memorial
Memorial
Memorial
Memorial
Memorial
Memorial
Taking a closer look after the ceremony
Taking a closer look after the ceremony
Side view of the memorial after the unveiling
Side view of the memorial after the unveiling
Showing the hard work which miners did in the 1900's
Showing the hard work which miners did in the 1900's
Second from right Leslie Hampson retired Mines Resue Superintendent
Second from right Leslie Hampson retired Mines Resue Superintendent
Memorial
Memorial
People watch and remember those gone before us
People watch and remember those gone before us
Memorial
Memorial
Miners at work and play
Miners at work and play
Meeting old comrades not seen for a long time
Meeting old comrades not seen for a long time
Lyme & Wood Pit Memorial Ceremony
Lyme & Wood Pit Memorial Ceremony
Lyme & Wood Pit Memorial Ceremony
Lyme & Wood Pit Memorial Ceremony
Les Hampson Retired Mines Rescue Superintendent and Tony Haslam
Les Hampson Retired Mines Rescue Superintendent and Tony Haslam
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The unveiling
The unveiling
Images of Wood Pit
Images of Wood Pit
Images of mines around Haydock
Images of mines around Haydock
Images of Lyme Pit
Images of Lyme Pit
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Having a bit of snap after the unveiling
Having a bit of snap after the unveiling
Father Rodney Middleton
Father Rodney Middleton
Engoying a good cuppa and  a cake
Engoying a good cuppa and a cake
Details of the Lyme pit explosion by Ian Winstanley
Details of the Lyme pit explosion by Ian Winstanley
A day in the miners life
A day in the miners life