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Memorial service returns to mark Clifton mining tragedy

18/06/2007

The north-west's worst mining disaster was remembered at the weekend by the residents of Pendlebury, Clifton and Swinton.

Following a period of several years when no memorial was held, a requiem mass took place at St Augustine's Church on Saturday.

The Anglo-Catholic service marked the death of 178 men and boys who were victims of the 1885 Clifton Hall Colliery disaster.

During the mass, candles were lit and the name, place of residence, profession and marital status of every victim was read out.

In attendance was Valerie May Burgoyne, the mayor of Salford, Eccles MP Ian Stewart and several members of the National Union of Mineworkers.

Mr Stewart, who was invited to speak at the start of the service, praised the "frontline" action of both the unions and the church at the time of the disaster.

On June 18th 1885, an explosion at the colliery, thought to have been caused by a flammable gas igniting upon contact with a candle, shook the Salford community and left many families in poverty.

Two of the rescuers received an Albert Medal (second class) on account of their bravery and heroism.

Father Ian Hall, who led the service, told the congregation that he hopes a requiem mass to mark the disaster will take place every year.


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