In early January, the band was recorded playing Gresford – The Miners’ Hymn – by John Bonner for a special exhibition at the local National Coal Mining Museum. The hymn commemorates the Gresford pit disaster which claimed the lives of 266 miners in Wrexham in 1934. The disaster, caused by an explosion, left hundreds of children fatherless and more than 200 widows. Only 11 bodies were ever recovered.
The art exhibition The Pit at the End of the Road, features the art work of local artist Michael Milner. The exhibition, which opened earlier this month on 2nd February, captures the nostalgia surrounding Milner’s personal recollections of coal mining and the mining communities around him.
Michael Milner uses his childhood memories of growing up in the shadow of Glasshoughton Colliery as his inspiration. The exhibition features paintings of Milner’s personal memories; placing the pit at the centre of home life alongside quotes from Milner’s childhood, which paint an evocative picture of life growing up in the shadow of the pit. To coincide with the exhibition the museum will introduce a living history character to bring to life the community spirit painted in the artwork.
Our full recording can be heard below.
