n By Mark Metcalf
Tour guide - Andy
At aged 16 Nicola lost her father Edward Finnegan in 1973 at Lofthouse Colliery.
Nicola
There is a display board that stands as a permanent reminder of this tragedy in which he was one of six men killed following flooding. Their bodies have never been recovered.
“Such stories, especially as later the miners were vilified in the press, need telling as does the work of the rescue groups, the WWII Bevin Boys and the mining communities. My favourite item is of a piece of metal from a conveyor belt that melted due to the heat. It highlights how tough and brave miners were.”
Christine explains that the exhibition on the year-long 1984-5 Miners’ Strike, which Andy, like the majority of miners stayed out for, has been well attended. This, despite some criticism for featuring strike breakers
as well as those who stayed out for the year, and others who returned before the end.
Arthur Brown was “enjoying” what he was seeing including photographs by Martin Jenkinson, the official NUM photographer who later worked for the TGWU and Unite. Martin died in 2012.
“I was a pit electrician for 20 years and stayed out in 1984-85,” Arthur said. “I visit the museum quite regularly. There are often new things displayed. I especially like looking at the machinery I worked on.” On being made redundant, Arthur became a South Yorkshire Police Officer, serving 20 years.
The NCCM helps visitors discover the lives of inventors and innovators crucial to improving mining techniques while the mechanics of mining can be explored by visiting restored colliery buildings such as a blacksmith’s workshop, pumping, winding and compressor houses.
On a much smaller basis, but just as essential, was the introduction of canaries underground.
35 uniteLANDWORKER Winter 2024
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Such stories, especially as later the miners were vilified in the press, need telling as does the work of the rescue groups. It highlights how tough and brave miners were
Nicola Harrison, NCMM volunteer
“They helped warn of the danger of harmful gases such as carbon monoxide underground that the miners could not smell or taste. The alerts gave miners time to evacuate,” explains volunteer Peter Bailey.
A memorial garden to which some Unite members have contributed also provides a poignant spot to spend time remembering former miners which, personally, includes my own relatives Joseph Charlton, 42, and Robert Noble, 45; killed at Easington Colliery in May 1951.
Our visit to the NCMM was best summed up by radiographer Steven Aitchison, a trade unionist from Edinburgh. “You get an amazing insight into how coal was mined. The guides bring that to life. It is one of the most amazing experiences you’ll have from visiting a museum.”
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