Well, on Wednesday I got my long awaited visit to Doncaster, but it was a complete accident. I was changing trains to get to Rotherham to meet my brother at our mum's bungalow to do more sorting out, but the connecting train was cancelled, and so was the subsequent train an hour later (signalling problems). After the first camcellation I went to check on the busses, only to find that Stagecoach services were suspended due to a strike by drivers. So, I let my brother know I wouldn't be able to get there and went for a look around Doncaster.
There are several new pieces of public art, and this shot shows part of one of them. The sculpture is titled 'A Rich Seam'. The miner sculpture is placed between and slightly in front of two large blocks of stone.
Doncaster was once a major mining centre. The South Yorkshire coalfield was first exploited in the area around Barnsley, where good quality coal was close to or at the surface. Later, newer mines were created further east, where the coal seams were at a greater depth. By the early 20th century new mines were being created around Doncaster. As the coal deposits in mines nearer Barnsley were exhausted, those around Doncaster and further east became increasingly important and coal mining became a major employer.
That wasn't to last, and all the mines in the Doncaster area were closed by 2015. In 2016, Doncaster Council commissioned internationally renowned sculptor, Laurence Edwards, to design a sculpture to commemorate Doncaster’s rich mining heritage. Delayed by Covid-19, this sculpture was put in place in the town centre earlier this year.
Great statue. E haven’t been to Doncaster for years. I did my final teaching practice there. The school was based near one of the mining villages. Those children taught me a lot about classroom control. Best grounding for teaching. I loved it
Poignant statue. I spent my first 21 years in a mining village maybe 45 miles from Donny. The knocker up man came round at silly o’clock. A dangerous and unpleasant way to make a living, my Dad was one of very few men who didn’t work in the local mines.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
The disruption to my journey was a little annoying, but I have submitted my 'Delay Repay' claim to Northern Rail to help fund my next attempted trip! Fortunately I did have a plan B, and was able to have a good look at the new artwork around Doncaster town centre and look round the new Danum museum, so not a wasted day.
My first teaching practice was at Stainforth near Doncaster at a boys junior school, and we stayed with a retired school mistress in Fishlake - three pubs in the village, and fewer street lights! One of the places badly affected by flooding in 2019. I would be interested in going back to have a look round and see how they have changed.
Thank you Nina. This isn't actually at the museum, it is in a busy shopping street for all to see as they pass. It reminds me of the members of my family who once worked in coal mining.
Ian
December 6th, 2021
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So sorry you had travel woes
Great capture of this nice statue.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
The disruption to my journey was a little annoying, but I have submitted my 'Delay Repay' claim to Northern Rail to help fund my next attempted trip! Fortunately I did have a plan B, and was able to have a good look at the new artwork around Doncaster town centre and look round the new Danum museum, so not a wasted day.
Ian
My first teaching practice was at Stainforth near Doncaster at a boys junior school, and we stayed with a retired school mistress in Fishlake - three pubs in the village, and fewer street lights! One of the places badly affected by flooding in 2019. I would be interested in going back to have a look round and see how they have changed.
Ian
Thank you Nina. This isn't actually at the museum, it is in a busy shopping street for all to see as they pass. It reminds me of the members of my family who once worked in coal mining.
Ian