Sherburn Mining Memorial unveiled by Bishop of Jarrow

Three collieries were operated in Sherburn, near Durham, employing 2,970 at their peak, over a 130-year period from 1835.

Sherburn Hill, Sherburn House and Lady Durham each produced the vital energy resource for country and the railways followed along with the communities grew from the employment they provided.

Sherburn Mining Memorial was unveiled on Saturday on the B1283, opposite St Mary the Virgin Church, on the outskirts of Durham.

Read more: County Durham pensioner saved after suffering cardiac arrest during football match

The community has honoured those who lost their lives (Image: Paul Norris)

People from Sherburn were joined by representatives from the Durham Miners’ Association, Bishop of Jarrow Sarah Clark and local youth groups to mark the significance of coal mining to their communities and to remember those that lost their lives in the three collieries.

Bishop of Jarrow Sarah Clark (Image: Paul Norris)

Stephen Guy, chairman of Durham Miners’ Association (Image: Paul Norris)

Stephen Guy, chairman of Durham Miners’ Association and the Sherburn Banner Group said: “Coal fuelled the industrial revolution and miners toiled underground during the two world wars to ensure the world enjoyed relative peace.

“Our pit villages were and remain special places to live and bring up a family. “Our way of life is built upon a strong sense belonging, community and selflessness. 

“Many passing through the Sherburns would not know that we had 130 years of coal mining, this memorial will hopefully alter that, whilst also recognising the sacrifices men and boys made with their lives.

“Sadly, out villages experiences 197 fatalities in the collieries around here, the youngest being nine years old.”

The mining memorial was funded by the County Durham Community Foundation following an application by Sherburn Collieries Banner Group, who take their banner to the Big Meeting each year. 

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter

Alan Mardghum, secretary of Durham Miners’ Association (Image: Paul Norris)

Alan Mardghum, secretary of Durham Miners’ Association, laid a wreath in memory of the miners who lost their lives in tragic circumstances.

He said: “Villages like Sherburn support the Durham Miners’ Gala each year, so it would be remiss of the me and the DMA not to reciprocate that loyalty.

“It’s wonderful that young people were part of the service too.”

Young people were part of the community ceremony (Image: Paul Norris)

The ceremony included moving readings (Image: Paul Norris)

Youngsters at the ceremony on Saturday (Image: Paul Norris)

Mr Mardghumj said: “Far too many miners paid the ultimate price in pursuit of profit.

“It is imperative that pit communities continue to remember them, yet also celebrate our rich heritage.”

Read next:

• Mother pushed bone back in arm to save daughter after head-on smash in County Durham
• Power cut in Darlington after smoke spotted under pavement caused by electrical fire
• Fire breaks out at Darlington launderette as fire brigade rushes to the scene

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to The Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here.