A series of events celebrating the history of the Derbyshire miners are being held in Chesterfield this June, culminating with a ceremony to mark the centenary of the town’s statues of founding miners’ leaders and Labour MPs, James Haslam and William Harvey.
Chesterfield library is hosting an exhibition throughout the month on the local miners, while the ceremony is planned for Friday 26 June, with a programme of talks and discussions in the library scheduled for Saturday 27 June.
The talks include a lecture by former Labour MP Harry Barnes on the role Harvey and Haslam played in the organisation of local miners and the formation of the local Labour movement. John Burrows, leader of Chesterfield council, will speak about the role of the National Union of Mineworkers during the last period of mining in Derbyshire. And local history tutor John Halstead will lead a round-table discussion on the issues raised.
The full schedule is as follows:
Exhibition: The History of the Derbyshire Miners
Chesterfield Library, throughout June
Ceremony: To mark the centenary of the statues of Derby NUM founders and Labour MPs James Haslam and William Edward Harvey
Outside former Miners’ Offices, Saltergate, 7pm, Friday 26 June
(The Labour Club will be open for refreshments.)
Talks: Harvey, Haslam and the role of Derbyshire NUM
Chesterfield Library, Saturday 27 June, 10.30am onwards
Harry Barnes: Harvey, Haslam and the role they played in the history of the Derbyshire miners
Councillor John Burrows: The NUM during the last period of mining in Derbyshire
John Halstead: Round table discussion on the history of the Derbyshire miners, from 1.15pm.
Attendance is free. Tea and coffee will be served from 10.30am. Talks to start at 11am. Buffet lunch is available for £8 – tickets from Chesterfield library.
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