Heritage of Walton group to host miners reunion at social club

Organised by Norman Parkinson, 84, of Walton, the gathering on Friday November 11 will be a get together for former pit workers to catch-up as well as discuss heritage projects that are going on at the former Walton Colliery site.

Initially known as Sharlston West, the pit employed over 1,500 men at its peak but closed in December 1979 after production of coal slumped.

Mr Parkinson started his apprenticeship at Walton Colliery after leaving school and worked at various sites until he was made redundant.

Mr Parkinson, said: “The pit provided employment for people as far as Middlestown and Castleford, not just the men in Crofton and Walton.

"I am trying to get people interested and have a meeting and talk about the heritage of the colliery. We’ve held three reunions since 2016, which were quite successful.

"We held a reunion for the anniversary of the 1959 disaster at the pit which was well received.

"But the people who worked there were so so spread out and it has been so many years since the closure, it has since been difficult to get people together.

“The reunion will give people who worked there over the years to have a chat with old comrades and become familiar with heritage projects about Walton Colliery that has been put together over the years.

"It is important that future generations are aware of Walton Colliery and our past mining history. The importance of coal mining to our nation must not be forgotten.”

On April 22 1959, five miners lost their lives following an explosion at the coalface. In 2019, a commemorative wheel was placed near the site of the colliery, which is now Walton Colliery Nature Park, in memory of those who lost their lives in the accident.

Mr Parkinson is also working on talking to local schools about preserving the heritage of the colliery as well as creating a website that is due to go live which will showcase the pit’s history.

The reunion will be held at Walton Sports and Social Club on November 11 at 7.30pm.