Week of tributes for Auchengeich disaster victims
EVENTS to mark the 50th anniversary of Scotland's worst pit disaster begin this weekend as the final work takes place on a new memorial.
A total of 47 men died at Auchengeich Colliery on September 18, 1959, when a fire trapped their shift underground.
Work is almost complete on a newly-revamped memorial to mark half a century since the tragedy shook the community and the country. It is the culmination of a year of hard work by the Auchengeich Memorial Committee and Auchengeich Miners Club Committee.
Saturday is the start of a momentous week for Danny Taylor, chairman of both the committee and the club, who has helped to lead the efforts.
There will be a series of commemorative events, including music, dance, singing, boxing and sombre reflection.
Mr Taylor said: "It's gone way beyond what we envisaged. Everybody is just counting down the days and hoping everything is finished on time.
"We are on schedule and it looks good. I'm pleased. It means a lot to the community.
"It's the culmination of a year's work for me and the committee. Every one of us has got connections to the pit even though it's been shut since 1964."
Work started on the memorial in early July and is now nearing completion. A special service will be held on Sunday, September 20, when the new tribute is unveiled. Guest of honour will be Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond.
The first memorial was unveiled in 1984 – the 25th anniversary of the disaster – but it was felt it should be enhanced for the 50th anniversary.
The original name stones have been kept and will be incorporated, while the iconic wheel has also been kept. However, the memorial now covers a much greater area – roughly three times the size – and will have a striking centrepiece . . . a miner cast in bronze.
The figure will be surrounded by a circle of six stones to mark the miners who lost their lives in an explosion in January, 1931, and an outer ring of 47 to remember the men who perished in 1959.
Each of the stones will be inscribed with the name of one of the men. There will also be a 'story stone' in two corners to tell the stories of the 1959 and 1931 disasters.
Mr Taylor said: "I'm pleased we managed to pull it all together. It will be an emotional day for everybody."
Events taking place at the Auchengeich Miners in the lead-up to the memorial service on Sunday, September 20, include:
* Heartbeat 60s night on Saturday, September 12 – 8.30pm.
* Black Gold Band Day on Sunday, September 13 – 3pm-midnight. Local musicians will be playing throughout the afternoon and evening.
* Confidance Musical Theatre School on Monday, September 14 – 7.30pm.
* 'Along the Miners' Rows' with Bill Adair and the Bridgend Sessions Band on Tuesday, September 15 – 8pm.
* Auchengeich Boxing Show on Wednesday, September 16 – 6pm.
* Speakers Night on Friday, September 18 – 7.30pm-1am.
* Music from Rough Kutz on Saturday, September 19 – 8.30pm.
* After the memorial service on Sunday, September 20, there will be a singing competition followed by dancing to Donny Findlay – 7.30pm to midnight.
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Weather for Kirkintilloch
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
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Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
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