'Miners' Cathedral' opens exhibition looking at connection with industry

The Miners: Pitman, Pride and Prayer is being displayed at Durham Cathedral to highlight its long-standing connection to the mining industry and has been put on as this year marks the 25th anniversary of the closure of the last pit in County Durham.

Curator Marie-Thérèse Mayne said: “We wanted to look at the long-standing links with the cathedral and coal mining heritage. This is something that goes back to medieval times and continues to the modern day.

“Even though the pits are no longer open, the community support and mining memories are still very vivid.

“There’s a great affection between the mining community and the cathedral.”

The exhibition at Open Treasure has been a collaboration between the cathedral and community, with many of the items of display donated by local residents, groups and the Durham Miners’ Association (DMA).

It brings together mining memorabilia including lamps, helmets, a miner’s bond from 1766 and the last ever piece of coal taken from Bearpark Colliery, which was loaned by the village’s St Edmund’s Church.

The DMA has also loaned a crake belonging to Tommy Ramsey, one of the early 18th century campaigners for a miners’ union.

It also features the banners of the Dean and Chapter lodge and Mainsforth Colliery, which have been loaned from Ferryhill.

The exhibition includes pieces of art created by three schools and a community group in the Trimdons, who worked with West Rainton artist Wendy Stoker, from MADE in England, to come up with the pieces.

Workshops were held at St Williams RC Primary School, Deaf Hill Primary and Infants School, Bluebell Meadow Primary School and at Trimdon Community College to explore the history of coal mining, the slang of the pits and make rag rugs.

She said: “I think it’s a really great project. It’s really made the kids connect with the stories of their grandparents and I love the fact some of them have taken it on and want to do more rag rugging at home.”