Restoration of Pretoria Pit memorial underway

Pretoria Pit memorial restoration underway

The restoration of the memorial to those who lost their lives in the Pretoria Pit disaster is underway.

The names of the victims of the disaster are being restored ahead of the 112th anniversary on 21 December.

The work is being funded by Liberal Democrat run Westhoughton Town Council.

Deputy town mayor Ollie Younge had campaigned for the work to be carried out.

The 12-year-old memorial, situated in Ditchfield Gardens, lists the names of people who perished in the mining accident on 21 December 1910, when an underground explosion occurred at the Hulton Colliery Bank Pit No. 3.

Councillor Younge said: “This monument has stood here for over 12 years showing the names of miners who perished during the Pretoria Pit disaster. However, the names have faded. I’m pleased to say that they are being reprinted so that everyone can see who perished during that disaster.”

Town councillor Ollie Younge at the Pretoria Pit memorial