Boost for Armthorpe Colliery memorial statue plans

The sculptor behind plans for a miners memorial statue in Armthorpe has met with residents to help take the plans forwards.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Jan 2018, 07:42 BST
Updated 9th Jan 2018, 07:45 BST
Sculptor Ian Randall (right), pictured with student sculptor Cameron Lings visited Armthorpe Coronation Club, to put names on checks that will be added to the memorial. They are pictured with l-r Steve Hardy, Coronation WMC president, Roy Gibson, club member, Allan Booth, Coronation WMC vice president, Dennis Nowell, member, David Fawden, former surface worker and his wife Maureen. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Miners Sculptor MC 1Sculptor Ian Randall (right), pictured with student sculptor Cameron Lings visited Armthorpe Coronation Club, to put names on checks that will be added to the memorial. They are pictured with l-r Steve Hardy, Coronation WMC president, Roy Gibson, club member, Allan Booth, Coronation WMC vice president, Dennis Nowell, member, David Fawden, former surface worker and his wife Maureen. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Miners Sculptor MC 1
Sculptor Ian Randall (right), pictured with student sculptor Cameron Lings visited Armthorpe Coronation Club, to put names on checks that will be added to the memorial. They are pictured with l-r Steve Hardy, Coronation WMC president, Roy Gibson, club member, Allan Booth, Coronation WMC vice president, Dennis Nowell, member, David Fawden, former surface worker and his wife Maureen. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Miners Sculptor MC 1

Sculptor Ian Randall, from Selby, visited the village where his work is due to be sited - and carried out important work that he needs to do to build the statue.

He stamped names on pieces of metal - called checks - that will be used to make the statue of two miners which is due to be built outside Amthorpe Community Centre, on Church Street.

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Around 50 of the pieces of metal were stamped on Saturday during his visit to the Coronation Club, on Tranmoor Lane. He was also visited by Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones.

Supporters of the scheme are paying £5 each to have the plates stamped with their names. The pieces of metal represent the 'checks' which miners used to take underground and hand in when they returned to the surface to confirm they were safely returned from the coalface.

Former miner, Dennis Nowell, who was a pit blacksmith, is among those driving the project forwards.

He said: "It was great to see so many people coming to meet Ian. He will come back again next year to stamp some more."

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At present, only former Markham Main miners and their relatives are being offered the chance to have their names on the statue.

By Mr Nowell said once all those with links to the former Armthorpe pit have had the chance to buy a check, the opportunity may be extended to others.

That would likely to be from March onwards.

The statue is due to be built in a memorial garden opposite Armthorpe Community Centre.

It will be placed on a 16ft wide circular plinth, and will be around 9ft tall, depicting two miners, and standing, and one kneeling. It is expected to he built next year.

There will be around 1,000 of the 'checks' on the statue.

Any former Markham Main miners or their relative wanting to buy a check can contact Dennis on 01302 832203.

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