Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
The unveiling of the new Miners Statue Memorial site, which is sited on the Miners Way Trail at the entrance to Fowlmead Country Park on the A258 Deal/Sandwich Road, will be held on the 30th July 2011, 11am. Parking within the country park with free vintage bus ride to Statue, with unveiling and Remembrance Service, then back to Visitor Centre for refreshments.
Many volunteers from all mining areas in Kent, with Mr Jim Davies as Leading Historian, have worked for many years collating all fatalities that occurred in our Kent Collieries, from sinking to shutting.
This has been extremely researched, as no full records are or were kept anywhere in Kent or at National level.
Through lack of records our concerns are that, this information is correct and complete. We now have to make a decision to add these name's to the Plinth and hold a Remembrance Service for them and for All Miners and Mine Workers that have ever worked in our Mining Industry in Kent.
The information on the Plinth will be to the best of our ability, after exhaustive research. We welcome any further information that may be passed on to us and will endeavour to deal with any inquiries.
All are invited.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 715- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 2,438
Who is doing the unveiling Gary?
Audere est facere.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Good luck with all that Gary. .. a sterling effort made all round there.
I myself would like to see the unveiling so hopefully I can get there on the 30th July and get a picture.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
Cyril Rogers, Tilmanstone Colliery.
Ross llewellyn', Chislet Colliery.
Phillip Sutcliffe, Snowdown Colliery.
Peter Holden, Betteshanger Colliery.
The four above were representatives from their area, on the MoveTheMiner Committee. All worked hard and without their help and help from many others this would not have been achieved.
Indeed, there are many I would like to thank, some of whom are from this forum, some not, for their help and support, including PaulW and his Cabinet members, JHG, Gwyn Prosser, Bernard Butcher and many more.
Many people said the Statue would never be moved.
The only reason we proved them people wrong, was by working together, by dropping politics & prejudices, by sitting at the same table and listening and talking.
We looked at this project for the good of all and left self interest out of the equation.
The decisions that were took and accepted, were for the good of the whole Community and not just the few.
That is why we were successful and I can say with pride that is was good to work with everyone from all quarters, across the board and it's thanks to everyone involved that the Statue moved.
The Memorial Service will be a very important part of our mining history and I hope you all come along?
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
sounds like a great team effort gary, as it should have been anyway.
hardly a political issue, having said all that should you change your minds would be nice to see it back on the seafront.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
GaryC
I'm somewhat surprised that you didn't invite dear oul Maggie Thatcher to do the honours..
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
or arther scargill and blue barry.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
maggie, arthur and blue barry???
that would certainly bring in the crowds, probably need paramedics on stand by though.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
Hear No!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BarryW
Speak No!!!!!!!!!!!!! Scargill
See No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thatcher
Never want to listen to.
Never want to speak to.
Never want to see again.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
is that your last word on the subject gary or can you be swayed by argument?
Unregistered User
Gary,sorry I can't be with you on the day.
Well done to the team & have a successful & nostalgic day.
Watty
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
I never U-turn but can be swayed.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
Thanks Paul.
Jed is conducting the Service, so in good hands. Have fun on your Hols.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
My best wishes also .
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
Thanks Sue.
I know you you were in a awkward position, wanting to keep the Statue in Dover but seeing the sence in moving it as well, so again thanks for your support.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
I thought I would pass on this email to you because I think this epitomizes the feelings by many from our mining communities. It proves to me that this was the right thing to do and that this will be a catalyst into keeping our Kent Mining Heritage alive and even give it a future, as I have said before, the story of the Kent Miner is not over yet.
Hello Gary.
I personally think that the whole point of the unveiling for the memorial plinth should be taken very seriously and seen as a very important event. I have been making as many people aware of the event taking place, with many old friends and work colleagues of my own relatives, along with many of my own friends and people who have some contact or involvement with coal mining in Kent. Every single person that I have so far spoken to has had good comments to say and all have said that they will be attending on Saturday 30th July 2011, so that they can pay their own respects. I have heard the accounts given just a few of the relatives and friends of some of the miners who have lost their lives while working in the Kent collieries. I think that every effort should be made to make the event both as memorable and as special a day as possibly for them as much as anyone.
Regardless of what is planned for the day it will be certainly be a sombre, but also an emotional and extremely thought provoking time for everyone who will be attending. Hopefully in many years to come this will be a place for people to come and pay their own respects and even take the time to reflect and also remember the work that was done in the Kent Coalfield, which under no circumstances should ever be allowed to be forgotten.
What the committee have all managed to accomplish over the past few years with the Move The Miner Statue project has been fantastic, with a huge amount of your own time and effort having been put into the organisation for this one particular day. Apart from the Kent Miners Festival events over the past 2 years I personally think that the day of the unveiling of the memorial will be possibly one of the most important events to have occurred since the closure of Betteshanger colliery 1989, which spelled the final chapter of the Kent Coalfield.
Colin Varrall.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Gary here's one from the archives for you. I think you sent this to me way back in 2007 when as is clear the statue was still in Dover. I recognise yourself central...and Mike Eddy on the left but dont know the other guys but I guess they were all on the committee as mentioned above.
Very interesting letter there from Colin Varrall.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
PaulB
The two to my left are L.Knight & E. Rowbotham and on my right is Peter Holden & Cyril Rogers. Sadly, Peter is now in a wheelchair with MS and Cyril has had a stroke.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
The Unveiling and Dedication Service took place this morning and was a memorialbe moment in our long mining history that will be reflected on for many years.
My thanks to all that supported the move and in creating this memorial site.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
