Plaque pays tribute to those who died at Fishburn Colliery (From The Advertiser Series)
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Plaque pays tribute to those who died at Fishburn Colliery
1:30pm Monday 22nd October 2012 in News
By Lizzie Anderson
Phil Wilson MP with Reverend Michael Gobbett at the dedication service at St Catherine’s Church in Fishburn
A PLAQUE featuring the names of 57 miners who died at Fishburn Colliery in County Durham will be permanently displayed in the village church.
The plaque, which was discovered by a local resident, contains the names of men who died in the pit between 1921 and 1973.
Last week, a special dedication service took place at Catherine’s Church, where it will now hang as a lasting tribute.
Reverend Michael Gobbett, rector of the Upper Skerne, said: “Mining is still a significant part of the community. The service was well attended, and there was one lady who came whose father is listed on the plaque, so it’s clearly very important that we still do things like this.”
Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson, whose late father was a miner at Fishburn Colliery for 25 years, attended the service.
“It was a very humbling and proud moment,” he said. “Mining is an integral part of my history and a hugely important part of this area’s heritage, and should never be forgotten.
“Dedicating this plaque will enable to names of those who died at the pit to live on.”
