Ex-miner's delight as £130,000 memorial arrives in Doncaster after Free Press campaign

The memorial was finally dropped off in the town centre today, three years after we launched our campaign to help raise the £130,000 cost of creating the sculpture.

It is currently surrounded by hoardings until the installation work is completed.

We ran a series of stories about the project and how work was ongoing to make it happen.

Among those who was involved in the project was former Markham Main colliery miner Dennis Nowell, from Armthorpe, who was delighted the monument had arrived in the town.

He said: “I’m really chuffed that it’s in place.

"I was a third generation miner, and all my family were miners. And we have lost eight former miners in our community this last couple of months.

“I was involved with this from the beginning and I’m really proud.

"Doncaster should have had a memorial like this years ago. There are memorials in the villages, but not the town centre. It would have been great if it had been there when they were still open.

"I think the Doncaster Free Press campaign helped get this here and I think every miner is going to be so proud.

“We had 87 died working at Markham Main alone.”

Construction work is almost complete.

Scupltor Laurence Edwards designed the artwork and met with hundreds of people from the mining community who got in touch to share their stories. Some of their faces, including Dennis’ have then been cast in bronze and are an important part of the monument.

Work will be complete at the end of March.

Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, said: “Despite the challenges that this dreadful virus presented, we were determined that Doncaster’s ambitious regeneration plans didn’t grind to a halt or even lose momentum. When we see life return to our town centre again, we want to offer a vibrant and lively experience with a varied arts, cultural, retail and leisure scene for all.

“So behind the scenes, work has continued on the statue, a major part of our town centre’s regeneration alongside another the wonderful new development, the Danum Gallery, Library and Museum.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.