The Search is on for Relatives of Bilsthorpe Pit Disaster Victims
THE relatives of a local man who died in the Bilsthorpe mining disaster almost 81 years ago want to hear from other people who lost family or friends ahead of unveiling a new memorial to those who were killed.
Wellow couple Patricia and Patrick Jennings are hoping to trace as many relatives of the 14 victims as they can so they can invite them to the dedication of a memorial stone engraved with the names of all the victims.
Said Patricia: "My husband's uncle, Patrick Kelly, died in the accident and was aged 17 at the time. Every year his family come over and we all visit the grave and say a prayer.
"There was once a brass plaque set up in memory of the victims but it was stolen and sold for scrap so we decided to come up with a replacement.
"We've already hired a stone mason and chosen a large slab of black marble which will have gold lettering and every name written on it."
The disaster happened at Bilsthorpe Colliery on 1st March 1927 when pipes carrying water from the mine collapsed and fell down into the shaft, causing the death of 14 miners –– all of whom were from Bilsthorpe and the Mansfield area.
"The lucky men were the ones that were killed immediately when the pipes fell, the others that were left trapped down there were gradually drowned as the water the pipes were taking from the mine started to fill the shaft," Patricia told Chad.
"It was said that the cries of those that were left trapped could be heard through the night. All accidents are tragic but this really was terrible."
The new memorial will be unveiled later this year at Bilsthorpe Parish Church and has received the backing of the Bilsthorpe Heritage Society and the Bilsthorpe Community Action Group, who have both made donations to help fund the memorial.
Added Patricia: "The support we've had has been marvellous, we haven't had one descending comment. Everyone we've spoken to has been behind this project.
"The people that have been in touch so far have been full of praise, and every single one of them wants to tell their own story so it's been very interesting."
