Walking Together Sponsorship Information (Autumn 2020)

Remembrance and Celebration: Markham Colliery 1882 – 1993 ‘Walking Together’

Walking Together’ is a mining memorial at the Markham Vale Business Park designed to commemorate 106 miners who tragically lost their lives in 3 disasters at Markham Colliery.

The business park was developed by Derbyshire County Council and HBD on the site of the former colliery and the memorial acts as a permanent reminder of the site’s strong mining heritage. Each statue symbolises a miner’s journey to the pit and represents the men who lost their lives in the 3 accidents in 1937, 1938 and 1973.

We are seeking sponsors to help complete the memorial with only 18 statues left to realise the full commemorative trail of 106 statues.

Experienced public realm artist, Stephen Broadbent developed the design concept for Walking Together, with guidance from a community working group of volunteers. Once complete, the ‘Walking Together’ artwork will see 106 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.

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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.

Walking Together – in detail 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, age and occupation.

We work closely with the Markham Vale Heritage Group to research each of the miners and seek to engage with relatives and friends to engage them with the memorial and associated unveiling events.

Historically, there were many routes to Markham Colliery from many different communities, but the route of 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 Stephen Broadbent under guidance from a group of former miners and pupils from nearby schools. Along this route, 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.

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“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.

Images from unveiling September 2018.

Seeking Sponsors and Supporters – how to get involved Derbyshire County Council has made a significant investment in developing the Walking Together memorial working with business and community partners to deliver 88 of the ‘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, family groups 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 Cluster of 5 figures – fabrication and installation A pair of figures – fabrication and installation A single figure – fabrication and installation

£15,000 £7,500 £3,000 £1,500

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 next page) • 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.

• All sponsors will be acknowledged through social media promotion.

• All sponsors will be acknowledged at an unveiling event and associated commemorative event booklet (this may take the form of a film rather than physical event due to Covid restrictions).

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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.

“I think it is vital to have a memorial for the miners otherwise future generations will never know about them.�

Sandra Struggles, Volunteer

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Expression of Interest – ‘Walking Together’ Sponsorship If you 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 or fundraising 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

More information about the project can also be found at https://markhamstorymine.org/about/walking-together/ Commemoration to date To date funding has been secured from local business and community sponsors, to support the installation of 88 figures on site at Markham. A community working group – the Markham Vale Heritage Group, guide the project and lead decisions about the naming and positioning of the figures along the trail. This unique project has significant support from the community and local schools as well as local, regional and national media interest.

In parallel The Story Mine, a project supported by Heritage Lottery Fund and Derbyshire County Council has enabled a volunteer group to unearth and share stories from Markham Colliery. On the new website markhamstorymine.org you can read stories about mining work and the men who died in the major disasters at the colliery in 1937, 38 & 73. You can also find out about wider stories of life in Markham's mining community - home and family life and leisure time.

Unveiled 30 July 2013: Arthur Brown Age 18 Pony Driver 1938, Albert Tyler Age 64 Back Repairer 1973 disaster.

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.

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 Stallman 1937 disaster; Frederick Roddy Age 25 Cutterman 1937 disaster; Joseph Furniss Age Stallman 1937 disaster; Edmund Smith Age 29 Stallman 1937 disaster; Thomas Jones Age Contractor 1938 disaster; Enoch Jones Age 21 Contractor 1938 disaster; Joseph Geary Age Dataller 1938 disaster.

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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; and Arthur May Age 59 Contractor 1938 disaster.

Unveiled 29 May 2019 James Allen age 25 Contractor 1938 disaster; John Henry Bradford age 46 Ripper 1938 disaster; George Davidson age 51 Contractor 1938 disaster; Colin Gee-Pemberton age 30 Belt Hand 1938 disaster; Lawrence Jacklin age 28 Contractor 1938 disaster; Leonard Keller age 26 Belt Turner 1938 disaster; Stanley Lodge age 40 Belt Erector 1938 disaster; and Harry Taylor age 33 Belt Erector 1938 disaster.

Unveiled 16 September 2019 Arthur Carter age 40, Deputy 1938 disaster; Bernard Gregory age 34 Timber Drawer 1938 disaster; Samuel Kerry age 20 Haulage Hand 1938 disaster; Alfred Lamb age 26 Road Layer 1938 disaster; John McConnon age 26 Rope Greaser 1938 disaster; Frank Smith 26 Belt Trimmer 1938 disaster; Herbert Wale age 40,Timber Drawer 1938 disaster; and Joseph Birkin age 60 Face Worker 1973 disaster.

Unveiled 17 September 2020 Charles Bown, 27, contractor 1938 disaster; George Clarence Briggs, 52, deputy 1973 disaster; Joseph William Brocklehurst, 58, deputy 1973 disaster; Clifford Brooks, 58, deputy 1973 disaster; George Cyril Foulds Buckley, 40, contractor 1938 disaster; John William Watson Commons, 33, contractor 1938 disaster; George Eyre, 60, gearhead attendant 1973 disaster; Joe Hardy, 37, Contractor 1938 disaster; Clarence Hill, 29, belt-hand 1938 disaster; Harry Hudson, 26, gate-end 1938 disaster; George Henry Jackson, 43, contractor 1938 disaster; Michael Kilroy, 53, development worker 1973 disaster; Fred Reddish, 53, development worker 1973 disaster; Benjamin Wallace, 29, road layer 1938 disaster; and William Edward Whelpton, 32, rope greaser 1938 disaster.

Due to be unveiled Winter 2020 Henry 'Harry' Chapman, 48 Deputy 1973 disaster; Frank Jones, 33 Haulage Hand 1938 disaster; Jan Kaminski , 58 Development Worker 1973 disaster; Fred Monks, 60 Timber Drawer 1938 disaster; Clarence Palmer, 39 Contractor 1938 disaster; Lucjan Julian Plewinski, 59 General Worker 1973 disaster; Wilfred Rodgers, 59 Face Worker 1973 disaster; Frank Stone, 53 Road Repairer 1973 disaster; Charles Turner, 60 Deputy 1973 disaster; Alfred White, 57 Deputy 1973 disaster; and George Whitley, 43 Ripper 1938 disaster.

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The Story Mine - a digital archive A key part of the ‘Walking Together’ project is the development of a website which acts as a space to document the stories behind each of the men represented by the figures and to share stories of the wider mining heritage of Markham, helping to keep these memories alive for future generations. www.markhamstorymine.org 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 one of the UK’s premier business and industrial park and is one of the UK’s leading logistics locations. The site will bring 4,100 new jobs to the area and £130 million of private investment. The development is centered around the former Markham Colliery and 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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