Ferryhill sculpture Miner’s Lamp celebrates mining heritage

The event, which took place on February 4 at Ferryhill Station, saw crowds gather to mark the installation of a four-meter-high Miners Lamp Sculpture.

The sculpture was designed by Andrew McKeown to commemorate the mining heritage of the town, creating a fitting tribute to Mainsforth Colliery, which operated from 1872 to 1968.

Miner’s Lamp Sculpture unveiled at Surtees Corner, Ferryhill Station, pictured Sculptor Andrew McKeown (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

It features occupation names and terms unique to the Durham Coalfield areas, such as Spragger or Trapper, Chargehand and Shifter around the column of the lamp, so that they can be kept alive for future generations to learn about.

The event began with a speech by Deputy Mayor, Councillor Carole Atkinson who welcomed everyone to the event and thanked everyone involved in bringing the project to life, which cost £35,000 to install.

Miner’s Lamp Sculpture unveiled at Surtees Corner, Ferryhill Station pictured Rev Elizabeth Catford and Cllr Carole Atkinson (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The project was funded by a £20,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and £15,000 from the neighbourhood budgets of former county councillors Peter Atkinson and Curtis Bihari via the 4Together Partnership.

The event continued with a blessing of the Sculpture by Methodist Minister, Reverend Elizabeth Catford, which was followed by ‘The Miner’s Hymn – Gresford’ played by members of Ferryhill Town Band.

The Mainsforth Colliery Miner’s Banner was also displayed throughout the event by members of the Ferryhill Miners Banner Committee.

Miner’s Lamp Sculpture unveiled at Surtees Corner, (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Deputy Mayor of Ferryhill, Councillor Carole Atkinson said: “I would like to say a big thank you to everyone involved in this project and who attended the Celebration Event on what was a very cold day.

“A special thanks to Sculptor, Andrew Mckeown for all his hard work on the project, to residents who put forward occupation names and suggestions for the final sculpture design.

Miner’s Lamp Sculpture unveiled at Surtees Corner, Ferryhill Station (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Miner’s Lamp Sculpture unveiled at Surtees Corner, Ferryhill Station Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“To Ferryhill Station Primary School for taking part in Sculpture Workshops, to Reverend Elizabeth Catford for blessing the Sculpture and to Ferryhill Town Band for playing the Miner’s Hymn at the event.

“Finally, I would like to say a huge thank you to the funders of the project; the National Lottery Heritage Fund and former County Councillors Peter Atkinson and Curtis Bihari and the 4Together Partnership, without whom the project would not have been possible.”

For more information about this or any other project delivered by Ferryhill Town Council please contact: Karen Younghusband at Ferryhill Town Hall on telephone: 01740 652157 or email kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk