Barnsley’s Poet Laureate backs mining disaster anniversary events
6 December 2016
The ‘Bard of Barnsley’ Ian McMillan is supporting events to mark the 150th anniversary of England’s worst mining catastrophe.
The 1866 Oaks Colliery Disaster at Hoyle Mill, Barnsley, killed 383 people when underground explosions devastated the mine. Ian, who was made Barnsley’s Poet Laureate earlier this year, has written a special poem to remember those who died.
He will read his ballad ‘Under December Skies, Under the Timeless Ground’ during a formal gathering at the Town Hall from 6.30pm on 12th December to mark the anniversary. The event will also include talks and the showing of a film in which the Oaks Colliery is recreated.
In November, Ian, who lives in Darfield and presents The Verb on BBC Radio Three, led a free creative writing workshop at Experience Barnsley, themed around the Oaks Disaster.
Participants were encouraged to bring to life the catastrophic events of 12th December 1866, when a huge explosion caused by flammable gases ripped through the mine, killing hundreds of men and boys. The next morning, volunteer rescuers made their way down the pit and were hit by another explosion.
The creative writing workshop formed part of the Hear My Voice project led by Barnsley Museums, and helped Ian develop content for his own poem to mark the lives lost 150 years ago.
He said: “'I'm proud to be associated with the commemorations for the Oaks Disaster; it's an event of local, national and international significance and I hope my poem can do justice to my feelings and the feelings of the town.”
Alongside the formal gathering at the Town Hall, ‘When the Oaks Fired’, an exhibition focusing on the human stories of the disaster, will run at Experience Barnsley until 8th February.
The evening event and exhibition are being delivered by the Dearne Valley Landscape Partnership (DVLP) and Barnsley Council. The DVLP is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund – thanks to National Lottery players.
Stephen Miller, community officer at the DVLP, said: “We’re really grateful to Ian for lending his support and creative mind to these commemorative events. It’s so important that those who died in this disaster are not forgotten and it’s fantastic to see how the people of Barnsley are coming together to remember them.”
People and Mining and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) have been working to raise funds to commission local artist Graham Ibbeson to create a memorial sculpture to mark the lives lost. The group have raised thousands of pounds for the memorial to be placed in the town centre in May next year, and will be provided with practical and financial support from Barnsley Council.
Other community-organised events to mark the anniversary next week include memorial services, talks and readings at venues across the town. Visit www.discoverdearne.co.uk for details.
Cllr Roy Miller, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place at Barnsley Council, said: “It’s great to see so much going on to mark the anniversary of such a terrible tragedy and Ian McMillan’s involvement will make the Town Hall event on 12th December even more special.”
Notes to editor
Attached image shows Ian McMillan (Credit: Adrian Mealing)
Stephen Miller is available for interview. He can be contacted on 01226 773110 or at StephenMiller@barnsley.gov.uk.
For more information about the Dearne Valley Landscape Partnership, contact Sally Gawthorpe on 01226 772139 or SallyGawthorpe@barnsley.gov.uk.
The Dearne Valley Landscape Partnership (DVLP) is a five-year scheme, running until June 2019 focusing on the historic buildings and landscapes of the Dearne Valley, working with the local communities to protect, preserve and enhance the area. The DVLP is supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund with a grant of almost £1.8m. For more information visit www.discoverdearne.org.uk
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about - from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk @heritagelottery @HLFYandH
The lead partner of the DVLP is Barnsley Council with a partnership that includes Rotherham and Doncaster Councils, the RSPB, Natural England, the Environment Agency, the Garganey Trust and Groundwork South Yorkshire. The DVLP is hosted by Barnsley Museums and based at Elsecar Heritage Centre.
Additional media contact: Mary Ferguson on 01226 766900 or at mary@capitalbmedia.co.uk
This press release was prepared by Capital B Media, a public relations and media training agency based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. For more information, please visit www.capitalbmedia.co.uk
