This three metre high sculpture by Nikolaos Kotziamanis celebrates Mansfield’s coal mining heritage. Over 35,000 men were employed in Nottinghamshire’s pits when the industry was at its peak in the early part of the 20th century, but now all deep mining throughout the country, not just Nottinghamshire, has come to an end.
It has been quite a transformation, and the decline over the past 30 years since the end of the miners strike of 1984-5 has been remorseless and continuous.
The Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 map of the Mansfield area shows numerous waste tips and opencast sites marking where the extraction of coal took place.
A major task now is the restoration and re-use of these areas - a task likely to take many years and substantial amounts of money. Where restoration has taken place there are attractive areas of landscape, wildlife sites and new industry, so these places can be improved.
Thank you all for your comments and favs, they are appreciated.
Although it is sad to see the decline of any industry, the end of coal mining in the UK removes an industry full of unpleasant and dangerous jobs, very hard work, and the transformation of the local environment. I grew up in such an area, and the change since the end of the deep mines there have lead to a much pleasanter environment.
Ian
May 24th, 2016
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Thank you all for your comments and favs, they are appreciated.
Although it is sad to see the decline of any industry, the end of coal mining in the UK removes an industry full of unpleasant and dangerous jobs, very hard work, and the transformation of the local environment. I grew up in such an area, and the change since the end of the deep mines there have lead to a much pleasanter environment.
Ian