Geograph - photograph every grid square

The plaque reads "In memory of the 204 men and boys who perished in the disaster at the Hester Pit, New Hartley on 16th January 1862."

Two shifts were trapped in the mine by the iron beam of the pumping engine broke blocking the only shaft. This soon led to a law demanding that all pits had at least two shafts and a new colliery was opened to the north. The gardens were opened by Joe Gormley in 1976.

Probably the most heartbreaking thing I have found when out and about for this site. Old coalfields are fascinating places, but all too often you are reminded of the cost of coal. I am happy that I only married into a mining family and was never required to go down a pit myself.