This memorial sculpture was crafted by the Barnsley sculptor, Graham Ibbeson and was unveiled on 7 May 2017. The sculptor had a relative killed in the disaster, and did not charge for his work.
It shows a woman carrying her child towards the coal mine after hearing a massive explosion. The circle represents the mine winding gear. Below her feet a miner is digging in a very narrow seam of coal, perhaps in one sense digging his own grave.
The Oaks Colliery disaster began on 12th December 1866 with a massive explosion underground, and was followed by another explosion the next day. A total of 361 people were killed, making this the largest loss of life in a mining disaster in England.
Thank you all for your comments and fav, they are all very much appreciated.
There are two other memorials in Barnsley to this disaster. I will have to try and find them if the opportunity presents itself.
Ian
Ian