Doncaster school children name pit pony statue as part of mining heritage event

Children from five primary schools congregated in Markham Main Miners Memorial Garden last week to name a statue of a pit pony.

The event was arranged by Jackie Pennock, Debbie Hayes and Dennis Nowell.

Jackie said: “The Markham Main Band played several wonderful songs for everyone arriving.

“There was three children each from five primary schools.

"These were Shaw Wood Academy, Our Lady of Sorrows Primary, Tranmoor Primary and Southfield Primary all from Armthorpe and Plover Primary from Intake.

"There was a gentleman, Chris Skidmore from the NUM who did a brief talk about mining.

"He also introduced the band to play ‘The Gresford’ which is a bit like their anthem in memory of the Gresford Mining Explosion Disaster.”

Children then put their suggestions for the pit ponies name into a hat and a band member pulled out the name Rosie which was one of the names selected by a pupil from Our Lady of Sorrows school.

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