Mining Memories of Clay Cross

The £79,650 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will explore the rich mining heritage of the Clay Cross area on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Miners' Strike.

The industry has a history in the area stretching back to Victorian times and was the site of Parkhouse Colliery mining disaster of 1882, which resulted in the death of 45 men and boys following a gas explosion.

In addition to being a pivotal area during the 1984 strike, Clay Cross played a central role in previous strikes in 1926 and 1912.

The two-and-a-half-year project will explore the lives and heritage of former miners, with their recordings turned into podcasts for the wider community to hear. It will pay particular attention to the cultural heritage associated with mining, art and music.

The project will finish in March 2026.

What the project will deliver :

Poetry sessions
Creative writing workshops
Collection of oral histories
A book collated from community research
An exhibition based on children's artwork developed in collaboration with local schools
Restoration of a Mines Rescue vehicle in conjunction with the National Emergency Service Museum (based in Sheffield)
New dedicated 'Mining Memories' pages on our website
A play developed and performed by local schools

Some of the artefact's

Mines Rescue Vehicle

Some of the artwork produced

We will be hosting FREE events at The Hub, so join us for a coffee, chat and meet friends old and new.

To find out more, contact :

Richard Godley - Project Officer

Email : gladstone@gmail.com