Service pays tribute to tragic miners

Rotherham Minster has been chosen to host the second annual Miners’ Memorial Day Service, organised by the NUM and Rotherham Council.

Council leader Roger Stone said he was honoured that the service was being held in Rotherham.

He said: “The town has a long and proud history when it comes to mining. So it is only right that we should pay tribute and show our gratitude to the many hundreds of men, women and children who lost their lives in the pits over the centuries as well as those who died as a result of working within the industry.”

Sunday’s service, which starts at 10.45am, will feature music played by Maltby Miners’ Welfare Band, and will include the well-known Miners’ Hymn. Pupils from Laughton Junior and Infant School will also perform The Miner’s Lamp, a play based around the mining industry in the Dinnington area.

The play will be followed by students from Maltby Comprehensive School each placing a flower at the altar to represent the 27 miners killed during an explosion at Maltby Main in July 1923, as well as the hundreds who have been killed across the region.

The service will be led by the Rev Canon Norma Rao, the Associate Vicar of Rotherham, and will be attended by civic leaders and NUM officials.

The Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire David Moody will lay a wreath at the Minster altar.