The tragic deaths of 139 miners in Thornhill were marked with the unveiling of a restored mining wheel in Thornhill Rectory Park and a community gala on Saturday, July 4.
The Thornhill disaster happened on July 4, 1893, where 139 men and boys between the ages of 12 and 70 died following an explosion and being subsequently trapped.
The restored mining wheel, along with new information boards, is the community's effort to create a lasting memorial to the dead.
Some 700 people, including descendants of the deceased and miners who had worked in Thornhill’s last pit, got involved in the day, which began with a march led by the Revd Debbie Nash, Rector for the United Benefice Thornhill and Whitley Lower, and the Rt Revd Smitha Prasadam, Bishop of Huddersfield.
After the memorial was unveiled, attendees heard a short account of what happened on the day of the disaster, followed by a reading of the names of 199 men and boys who died in the local mining industry since 1847.
Two leatherbound volumes of biographies relating to the deceased were presented to the church to add to the archive of local history held there.
Bishop Smitha spoke about what it means to be community, referencing her own experience of coming from a tin mining background in India.
She encouraged all to continue to care for each other and for all in our community, and guided people to look to the God who sees everyone, whomever and wherever they are.
The mining gala-style event after the service included food, an ice cream van, a pop-up bar from the local pub, local martial arts demonstrations, stalls from the local community, the mining museum's ponies, a local community choir and a new banner being made by the local Women’s Institute to be displayed in the parish church.
Revd Debbie said: “It has been a privilege to work alongside the local community to create a truly community focused event with Jesus right at the heart of it.
“The pit had been well-run and safe, and the disaster devastated the community.
“65 women were widowed and 230 children lost their fathers.
“One woman lost her husband and three sons.
“One of the miners was due to be married on the Saturday after the inquest into the accident.
“He, his father and his brother were all killed and the taxi ordered to take him to his wedding was instead used to take his body to the church for burial.
“Thousands attended the funerals with the majority buried in Thornhill churchyard.
“The local organist and choirmaster were among the dead.
“On the Saturday after the inquest there were funerals for more than eight hours in Thornhill.”