At the same instant a tall, loose-framed young man with a clean-shaved, earnest face advanced eagerly towards the
pit head. As he came forward his eyes fell upon the group, silent and motionless, under the engine house.
Children then went on a tour of the village and along the waggonways with artist Mark Todman to sketch some historical points of interest - including the 'pit pond', the old
pit head wheel and the Millennium Green.
After the service, the colliery's banner will be carried by the Harton and Westoe Banner Group to St Hilda's
Pit Head, which has been restored thanks to a PS548,200 grant.
On Saturday, a table in memory of Jack was unveiled at the
Pit Head Wheels, in the Millennium Gardens, Seven Sisters.
It is believed to have housed winches to help mine ironstone near the
pit head.
Commissioned byGateshead Counciland created by artist Antony Gormley, it was built on the site of former
pit head baths.
He is at the end his tether and tries to hang himself from the
pit head. But he can't even do that properly.
He is at the end of his tether and tries to hang himself from the
pit head. But he can't even do that properly Director Neale Birch says: "The film Brassed Off was far more successful than anyone anticipated and has stuck in people's memories.
The alarm was raised on Tuesday when the roof collapsed in a seam more than three miles from the
pit head. Bosses with mine operator UK Coal called Mr Gibson, of Sherburn-in-Elmet, a "highly skilled and respected" coalface worker.
WRECKAGE: The mine's scorched
pit head. Left, Kokshoorn
A new occupier is being sought for the building which dates back to 1933 when it was first used as shower/ bath block at the
pit head of the Mid Cannock Mine.