A memorial service commemorating those who died in the Clifton Hall Mining Disaster was held for the 140th anniversary of the tragedy.
The service was held at St Augustine’s Church, Pendlebury on Wednesday 18 June and was used to commemorate the 178 men and boys killed in a gas explosion at the Clifton Hall Colliery.
The Clifton Hall Mining Disaster occurred on June 18, 1885, and the service was organised by local mining groups, such as the Irwell Valley Mining Project and Friends of Agecroft Colliery.
The service included readings from pupils of the neighbouring St Augustine’s Primary School, and the recently installed Ceremonial Mayor of Salford, Heather Fletcher.
Paul Kelly of the IVMP praised the “amazing” turnout and the powerful service, which left a few in tears.
The service also saw another reading focused on John Crook, manager of Agecroft Colliery, which was connected to Clifton Hall, who led a rescue party of eighteen men into the mine.
This rescue party was able to improve ventilation, and extinguish the furnace and is credited with helping to save over one hundred lives.
For the memorial service, Aden Green, great-grandson of John Crook, attended the service and said he aims to honour his ancestor’s memory in his own life.
“They’re big shoes to fill, but I realised because of him that I don’t have to be a passenger. I can take action.” Aden said.
Aden then read a poem from 1885, which was submitted anonymously alongside the reports of the disaster.
The poem detailed the horrific conditions miners had to work in, and how every day was a potential death sentence.
“In the midst of life, we are in death,” read Aden.
Local students from St Augustine’s Primary School read out a list of the names and ages of those who lost their lives, ranging from late-fifties to those so young they were only described as “a boy” in the official records.
Cllr. Heather Fletcher, who assumed the role of Ceremonial Mayor in May this year, was asked to attend and speak at the memorial.
She described the invitation as “humbling,” before thanking groups involved for all their hard work and praising the service.
She said: “The service was very moving indeed, especially when the children read out the names of the 178 who died in this disaster.”
The Ceremonial Mayor admitted that she didn’t know much about the disaster, despite being local, and described her research process as “sobering,” before highlighting the advancements made 140 years on.
She continued: “Now we have health and safety at work, and welfare, which would have potentially prevented the tragedy, and help those who survived and suffered due to the loss of a loved one.”
The Irwell Valley Mining Project have many more events planned over the year, including the Durham Miner’s Gala in July.
All who attended agreed on the importance of remembering those lost in Salford’s industrial past, and are optimistic for future opportunities to honour those who made Salford what it is today.
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