Memorial honours colliery fire victims

The centrepiece of a memorial honouring Sandwell miners who died in a blaze a century ago has been hoisted into place after years of campaigning.

The bright blue mine truck is the focus of a memorial to 26 people who perished in a pit fire at Great Barr's Hamstead Colliery in 1908.

Hamstead Miners' Memorial Trust spent years campaigning for a tribute to 25 workers and one rescuer who died in the blaze started by candles.

Campaigners looked on proudly yesterday as the bulk of the monument, a genuine mine truck, was lifted into place along with twisted metal girders.

The memorial, which stands on the corner of Hamstead Road and Walsall Road, is now just weeks from being completed.

Plaques engraved with the names of former miners will surround the base of the memorial and a separate plaque will be inscribed with the names of those who perished in the blaze.

The grassy area around the memorial will be landscaped before the statue is finally unveiled.

The Hamstead Miners' Memorial Fund was set up by members of the trust to raise the cash needed to create the lasting memorial.

And the project received a huge boost when West Bromwich-based building contractors Connaughts offered to build and pay for the tribute.

Work kicked off in March.

Councillor Tony Ward, who has been campaigning for the memorial, said he was pleased to see the truck finally in place.

"It's a genuine mining truck. It is wonderful how the community has got behind the project," he said.

Ken Styler, chairman of the trust, said: "I started off with just an idea for a blue plaque but others got behind it and drove it.

"It captures the spirit of people who used to live in the village."

By Emma Sloper