Notts Miners secure funding for "Mining Lives" project

Local people’s memories and experiences of working in the mining industry are to be preserved for future generations thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) award of £46,500, it has being announced.

The two-year Mining Lives project has been developed by Nottinghamshire NUM Ex and Retired Miners Association, and will film and record mining memories from men and women who worked or were involved in six pits in the Nottinghamshire Area.

The project will look to capture the experience of working in the coal mining industry from nationalisation in 1947 up to the present day. This will include the strike periods of 1972-74 and 1984-85 and the subsequent rundown of the industry, reflecting on how these events impacted on local communities.

Commenting on the award the Chairman of the Ex Miners Eric Eaton said: "This an amazing opportunity for local miners to recount their history and have it recorded for posterity, we are absolutely delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund have afforded the Ex and Retired Miners and West Nottinghamshire College the opportunity to carry out this most important work".

Emma Sayer, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund East Midlands, said:

“Over the last century the mining industry has been central to the social and cultural history of communities across Nottinghamshire. By capturing the memories of those who worked in the mining industry, this project will ensure that the stories of local people are part of the wider history of our industrial heritage.”

The project will start in Autumn 2010, and is being carried out by a dedicated team of volunteers, from the Nottinghamshire Ex and Retired Miners Association and West Nottinghamshire College. The project will work with men and women who worked at Ollerton, Rufford, Blidworth, Newstead, Linby and Hucknall Collieries.

For further information please contact

Nottinghamshire NUM Ex & Retired Miners Association:

Eric Eaton (Chairman

01623 416895 / exandretiredminers@hotmail.co.uk