News Beat
Memorial held for tragic Pretoria Pit Disaster today
One hundred and fifteen years ago today, December 21, the towns of Westhoughton, Atherton and further afield suffered one of the darkest days in their histories.
At around 7.50am on that dark day, a massive underground explosion in the Pretoria Pit at Hulton Colliery claimed the lives of the hundreds of men and boys, some of whom were aged only 13.
The tragedy, which has become known as the Pretoria Pit Disaster, is one of the worst mining disasters in this country’s history.
Today, the Sunday before Christmas, dozens of people turned out to the Pretoria Memorial on the border of Over Hulton and Atherton to pay their respects to those who died.
Former MP for Bolton West, Julie Hilling, led the service, describing the events of the day and paying tribute.
She finished her speech by saying: “We remember, with sorrow and gratitude, the 344 men and boys who went to work and never came home.”
Andrea Finney then read out her own poem, ‘The 21st’, before Nige Gore read ‘1910’.
This was followed by a performance of ‘The Pretoria Pit Disaster’ by Jim Berry of the Houghton Weavers, a song written by a local artist from Atherton.
Those present then laid wreaths and flowers at the memorial.
MP for Bolton West, Phil Brickell, said: “The explosion that took place on this day was devastating for the towns of Westhoughton and Atherton, and is one of the largest mining disasters to befall this country.
“It is important that we do set aside time to pay tribute to the 344 men and boys who lost their lives in the Pretoria Pit Disaster, and to reflect on the almost unthinkable harm that was caused for families, only a few days before Christmas, in 1910.”
The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr David Chadwick, who is also a longstanding councillor in Westhoughton, said: “It is important that we respect and remember the 344 men and boys who died on December 21 all those years ago.
“And all those who came out to see this memorial this afternoon, that is a good thing.”
