A special event is being held in Blantyre this weekend as a new memorial is unveiled to the public.
Blantyre residents are invited along this Saturday, February 4, as the monument commemorating Blantyre Miners is displayed for the first time.
The shrine contains individual names and ages of hundreds of miners who lost their lives in three major local pit disasters, preserving their memory for generations to come.
The free event, open to the whole community will take place at 12.30pm at the old Cemetery, just off Cemetery Road, High Blantyre and is expected to last 30 minutes.
Made of the finest granite and matching aesthetics to nearby stones, it is being unveiled by Mary Crowe, a Blantyre woman who remarkably is directly descended from two of the victims of the 1877 Pit Disaster.
The sentiment to respectfully remember Blantyre miners specifically by name, has long been in theminds of local people, but it took the dedication and enthusiasm of Jimmy Small and Paul Veverka, both of the town, to organise the work and spearhead the significant fundraising campaign.
This proved successful with the kind help of Blantyre Miners Welfare Charitable Society in their capacity as treasurer.
Blantyre historial and author Paul Veverka told Lanarkshire Live: "Saturday’s unveiling will be the culmination of two years of hard work, which was only made possible by the many kind donations from individuals, churches and organisations and thanks go out to everybody who contributed, making this possible.
"Seeking Council permissions, planning, grant applications, competitive tendering and contracting work out was then all efficiently organised.
"A number of special guests have been invited to the ceremony, including local clergy and councillors. Prayers will also be offered, wreaths will be laid and all attendees will be most welcome to comeback to the Miners Welfare at Calder Street afterwards for tea and cake.
"We hopeyou all can make it too."
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