Trees honour child mine victims

Mining became a job for men rather than children after the disaster

A 19th century mine disaster that killed 26 children is being marked with a tree planting ceremony.

The children died on 4 July 1838 when a downpour flooded the Huskar Colliery drift mine at Silkstone Common, near Rotherham in South Yorkshire.

This Saturday, local children whose ages match those of the seven to 17-year-old victims will plant the trees.

Author Alan Gallop who wrote about the tragedy has organised the event.

'Slave-like conditions'

The commemoration is part of the Woodland Trust's Tree for All campaign, encouraging children to learn more about nature.

Mr Gallop said: "It seemed appropriate that some of those children should become involved in a project which aims to remember children from their village who worked in slave-like conditions 166 years ago."

The hazel trees, chosen because they will form a natural arch, will be planted each side of a path leading from the memorial to a nearby wood.

This should create an effect like walking down a mine tunnel, just as men, women and children did in the 19th century, explained Mr Gallop.

The tragedy was so great the law was changed to ban children from working in coalmines.