Walking Together Sponsorship Information

Remembrance and Celebration: Markham Colliery 1882 – 1993 ‘Walking Together’ – a memorial artwork by artist Stephen Broadbent

Broadbent Studio has been commissioned by Derbyshire County Council to create a public art feature for the Markham Vale Industrial and Business Park. The park is being developed on the site of the former Markham Colliery and the local authority, developers and community representatives are working together to recognise and commemorate its significant history.

A design concept for a mining memorial at Markham has been developed by experienced public realm artist Stephen Broadbent, with guidance from a community working group. Once complete, the ‘Walking Together’ artwork will see over a hundred steel figures symbolising a miner’s journey to the pit - and back home again. This trail of walking figures will connect Duckmanton with the heart of the new Markham Vale industrial area.

The artwork will boldly cut through this dramatic industrial landscape; a ‘desire line’ will be created for visitors to re-imagine and remember the lives of all miners, and in particular those who lost their lives for their work. The ‘Walking Together’ figures represent the 106 miners who were killed in the three major disasters, which occurred at Markham in 1937, 1938 and 1973.

Images of the commemoration service held at Markham on 30th July 2013 to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1973 disaster. At this event the first two ‘Walking Together’ figures with the ‘pit checks’ of the youngest and oldest miners killed in the disasters were unveiled. The youngest miner was 18-year-old Arthur Brown, a pony driver killed in the 1938 disaster. The oldest was Albert Tyler, a 64-year-old back repairer who died in the 1973 disaster.

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Walking Together – memorial artwork The memorial takes the form of 106 larger than life size steel figures, stretching between the village of Duckmanton and the former pithead of Markham Colliery. This walking trail of figures symbolises a miner’s journey to the pit and back home again. The 53 figures walking home after a shift underground will have a darker finish on the steel, compared to the 53 brighter figures walking to the pit to start a shift. Each of these figures has fixed on his chest a circular bronze miner’s tag. On the underside is stamped the name of a miner killed, his age and job title. On the front of the tag is stamped the name and year of the disaster, encouraging the visitor to touch the very personal and tactile tags, and turn it over to discover the name.

Historically, there were many routes to Markham Colliery from many different communities, but the route which is planned for the ‘Walking Together’ artwork, and which we hope will symbolise all of these routes, connects Duckmanton through the motorway underpass, to the Markham Vale Environment Centre. The route was developed by artist Stephen Broadbent under guidance from a group of former miners and pupils from nearby schools. Along this route, four larger clusters of figures will help establish new landscaped areas, with associated planting and seating, creating an enhanced ‘sense of place’ for workers, for the local community and for visitors. These special areas will also allow for personal reflection, and greater interpretation of the site’s history. At other areas along the trail, the figures will serve as way-finders and markers.

“Markham’s three significant mining disasters must be remembered, but it quickly becomes clear that we must not forget the many other tragic mining deaths and significant injuries, and indeed the remarkable sacrifice all miners made to help build this nation’s prosperity. We believe the memorial also needs to convey a sense of celebration; of an important job well done; of a unique time and place; and a community’s spirit and resilience.”

Stephen Broadbent, Artist.

Commemoration to date On 30th July 2013 an event was held at Markham to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1973 disaster. At this event the first two ‘Walking Together’ figures with the ‘pit checks’ of the youngest and oldest miners killed in all of the disasters were unveiled. The youngest miner was 18-year-old Arthur Brown, a pony driver killed in the 1938 disaster. The oldest was Albert Tyler, a 64-year-old back repairer who died in the 1973 disaster.

Subsequently, funding has been secured from local business and community sponsors, to support the installation of over thirty further figures on site at Markham to date. A community working group guide the project and help to make decisions about the naming and positioning of the figures along the trail.

Following on from the initial 2013 installation the following men have also been commemorated to date – Unveiled 4 December 2015: Henry Albert Alberry Age 46 Contractor 1938 disaster; Denton Whelpdale Age 39 Contractor 1938 disaster; Gordon Richard Bob Cooper Age 30 Development Worker 1973 disaster; Leonard Cadywould Age 21 Cutterman 1937 disaster; William Sherwin Age 64 Engine Driver 1938 disaster; William Henry Cauldwell Age 48 Stallman 1937 disaster.

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Unveiled 22 September 2016: Robert Emlen Grainger Age 21 Road Repairer 1938 disaster; Ambrose Grainger Age 41 Road Repairer 1938 disaster; John William Grainger Age 49 Road Repairer 1938 disaster; Herbert Brough Age 63 Shot firer 1938 disaster; Walter James Frost Age 47 Contractor 1938 disaster; Samuel Bray Age 20 Haulage Hand 1938 disaster; William Wilkinson Watson Age 58 Contractor 1938 disaster; Wilfred E Slater Age 30 Stallman 1937 disaster; Charles Leonard Sissons Age 43 Road Repairer 1973 disaster; William Yates Age 62 Development Worker 1973 disaster; Charles Moreton Age 29 Cutterman 1937 disaster.

Unveiled 21 July 2017: Ralph Marsden Age 41 Stallman 1937 disaster; Edward Baggaley Age 34 Stallman 1937 disaster; Frederick Roddy Age 25 Cutterman 1937 disaster; Joseph Furniss Age 28 Stallman 1937 disaster; Edmund Smith Age 29 Stallman 1937 disaster; Thomas Jones Age 49 Contractor 1938 disaster; Enoch Jones Age 21 Contractor 1938 disaster; Joseph Geary Age 55 Dataller 1938 disaster.

Unveiled 17 January 2018: Herbert Hargreaves Snr Age 48 Contractor 1938 disaster; Herbert Hargreaves Jnr Age 27 Contractor 1938 disaster; Leslie Hargreaves Age 23 contractor 1938 disaster; Albert Ernest Rodgers – Age 19 Haulage Hand 1938 disaster; Robert Henry Wood – Age 22 Haulage Hand 1938 disaster; Robert Simms – Age 56, Contractor 1938 disaster; Arthur Henson – Age 45 Ripper 1938 disaster.

Unveiled 26 September 2018: John Arnold Bray Age 34 Ripper 1938 disaster; John Thomas Brown Age 26 Timber Drawer 1938 disaster; Wilfred Haywood Age 36 Ripper 1938 disaster; Walter Bluer Age 41 Ripper 1938 disaster; James Stanley Rowland Age 34 Contractor 1938 disaster; Harry Lavender Age 39 Ripper 1938 disaster; George Edward Pether Age 30 Ripper 1938 disaster; Leonard Atkin Age 53 Contractor 1938 disaster; John William Lievesley Age 46 Deputy 1938 disaster; Thomas George Yates Age 38 Timber Drawer 1938 disaster; Arthur May Age 59 Contractor 1938 disaster.

A further installation is being planned for Spring 2019.

Seeking Sponsors and Supporters – how to get involved Derbyshire County Council has made a significant investment in commissioning the design concept for the memorial artwork and working with business and community partners to deliver the first groups of ‘Walking Together’ figures. We are now seeking additional funding and support to ensure that the project is fully realised.

We’d like to invite community groups, businesses and individuals who would like to support this important memorial to the men who died in the three major disasters and to Markham’s wider mining heritage, to sponsor an individual figure, pair or cluster of figures as part of the ‘Walking Together’ artwork.

Guideline sponsorship levels are indicated below: Cluster of 10 figures – fabrication and installation

£15,000

Cluster of 5 figures – fabrication and installation

£7,500

A pair of figures – fabrication and installation

£3,000

A single figure – fabrication and installation

£1,500 3

Contributions to ‘Walking Together’ will be recognised in a number of ways: • • •

An acknowledgement plaque on each figure you support, with wording of your choice (see illustration on page 5) A board listing all sponsors will be created for the reception area at the Markham Vale Environment Centre All sponsors will be listed on the ‘Story Mine’ website.

The Artist - Broadbent Studio Broadbent is a studio of artists, designers and makers built around the experience and expertise of artist Stephen Broadbent. Stephen has been completing work in the public realm for over 25 years and is now valued as an artist, consultant and international speaker.

His work has ranged from simple sculptural elements to overseeing extensive regeneration schemes and community projects. www.sbal.co.uk About Markham Vale Markham Vale is home to the UK’s premier business and industrial park and is one of the UK’s leading logistics locations. The site will bring 5,000 new jobs to the area and £130 million of private investment. The development is centered around the former Markham Colliery and has been granted ‘Enterprise Zone’ status. The project is a significant public-private sector partnership between Derbyshire County Council and Henry Boot Developments Ltd. Regeneration at Markham is underpinned by a philosophy of sustainability, accessibility and quality. www.markhamvale.co.uk

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Acknowledgement plaque details: All those who support the full cost of a figure will be offered the opportunity to have their support acknowledged through a permanent plaque on the base of each figure supported as per the following design.

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Expression of Interest – ‘Walking Together’ Sponsorship If you are would like to find out more about the ‘Walking Together’ project and would be interested in sponsoring an individual figure or a group of figures then please contact – Peter Storey, Head of Markham Vale Derbyshire County Council, Environmental Services Department, Station Road, Darley Dale, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 2EQ Tel: 01629 535417 Email: peter.storey@derbyshire.gov.uk

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