On the topic of monuments to miners, I came across this proposed mining-related monument; and the following description of its provenance:
The model of the spectacular new landmark artwork chosen by a group of local ex-miners will be unveiled for the first time today (Wednesday 7 May 2008). It is commissioned by St.Helens Council as part of The Big Art Project, an ambitious public art initiative from Channel 4 supported by Arts Council England and The Art Fund. Titled Dream, the 20 metres high sculpture by internationally renowned artist Jaume Plensa is to be sited on top of the former Sutton Manor Colliery, overlooking the M62. The work is intended to become a gateway feature for both Merseyside and Greater Manchester at the heart of the Northwest, and to symbolise the remarkable regeneration of the whole region.
Maybe; but a 20-m (60-ft) high head? At least I will never have to see it live.
Thank goodness Jack you wont see it live. It is not a mining monument. Go to the site and educate yourself. The ex miners have vision here in St Helens and although it sits on ex mine its point is to reflect the past ( It sits on a giant miners tally ) and looks and ‘dreams’ of the future…. the last thing we wanted here is another dour mining monument saying how bad it was to work down a pit…. weve got two already !!!
I think a more lasting monument may have been to build something that would be of benefit to the former mining community in and around Sutton Manor and St Helens. As the previous comment stated we already have two mining “monuments” in the town, this money could have gone on something that would actually improve people’s lives instead of what appears to be an expensive PR stunt.
I was an electrician at Sutton Manor in the late 50s. Today 12/04/09 I saw the DREAM on top of the tip as I drove along the M62. I think these big art projects around the country are great . I note that some local opinion thinks it is a waste of money. I dont agree and say the DREAM is a fine thing . Long may it stand and remind us of our industrial past and our High Tech future. Best Wishes to St Helens
The giant head must be working as a piece of art because it makes me forget what I am stressing about when driving past and makes me smile! Isn’t that what art is supose to do for the simple people like me???
It’s there now, have you seen it? Only spotted it from a distance but not seen it up close yet.
Well Jack… bet your eating your words now as this amazing sculpture is now built and is known world wide. ‘Dream’ keeps alive the mining story in St Helens. More than what Mr Scargill ever did.
So the NUM under the leadership of its president Arthur Scargill was responsible for the demise of the deep mined coal industry in the UK in geneal and at Sutton Manor, St. Helens in particular? If there’d been no Scargill, there’d still be a Sutton Manor colliery? How foolish of me not to realize this! There I was thinking that it was the Conservative Party under the leadership of Margaret Thatcher that planned, organized and executed the destruction of the mining industry in the UK, which plans were laid down in the form of “The Ridley Report” and leaked to “The Economist” before the Tories came into political power in 1979.
PS Above posted by former miner at Sutton Manor’s neighbour Bold colliery, St. Helens, and who emigrated after mining was killed stone dead in the UK.