Roadshows to mark mining heritage

Pillars of ironstone taken from Eston mine stand in the town

Roadshows celebrating a town's ironstone mining history are taking place on Teesside.

Eston's mining period from 1850 until 1949 saw millions of tonnes of stone mined and then moved by hand, horse and steam engine.

Eston Heritage Initiative was recently set up and is holding the roadshows with Redcar and Cleveland Council.

Local people are asked to bring photos, documents, tools or other relics of the period along to the roadshows.

Members of the initiative are also keen to hear people's stories about the period.

Any significant items could form part of a planned exhibition at Kirkleatham Museum.

Pillars returned

Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick, cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, said: "The ironstone mining period was hugely significant to the development of Redcar and Cleveland as well as Teesside in general.

"The roadshows are an important first step in developing a fuller picture of that time."

The roadshow dates are 12 April Sunnyfield House, Guisborough, 1400-1700 GMT, Eston Institute, 1900-2100 GMT; 13 April Lazenby Village Hall, 1400-1700 GMT, 1900-2100 GMT; 14 April Eston Institute, 1400-1700 GMT; 16 April Normanby Methodist Hall, 1000-1200 GMT; 20 April Asda, South Bank, 1400-1700 GMT.

Last year, two pillars, each weighing 2.5 tonnes, which were the largest pieces of ironstone taken from Eston ironstone mine, were brought back to the town.

They had stood for more than 100 years outside Eston hospital, which was demolished in 1980 before being moved to the town hall.