Post by erichall on Mar 10, 2011 11:12:54 GMT -5
For 38 years, I lived and worked amongst the Mining community of Clowne in Derbyshire. Clowne, although itself having boasted no less than 3 collieries in it's past, had none from my knowledge post WW2. It was, however, almost certainly a 'Mining Community', the majority of it's male population working in the various pits within close proximity. The men made up large proportions of the Whitwell and Oxcroft Collieries, with lots also working at pits within a 5-6 mile radius - Markham No's 1,2 & 4 Collieries, Bolsover Colliery, High Moor, and the nearby village of Creswell. I would consider that around the 1970's some 75% of the male population worked at many of these Collieries or in some cases the small businesses that grew up to service the same pits. Around the area, there were families who lost loved ones in accidents as well as the, at then, large disasters of Creswell (fire) and Markham No.1 (Explosion). The parish church stands on what was then the outskirts of the Village (now some 9-10,000 population.) A number of the men killed in the colliery fire at Creswell were Clowne men and were buried in the Churchyard of Clowne Parish Church.
In the early 1950's the church was 'extended' in that the exsisting Sanctuary and Altar was moved back from the limits of the Norman Church, the Choir extended, and two additional side chapels built on to give the church a cruciform-style layout. The Church was dedicated to and already contained 6 double light windows depicting the life of
St.John the Baptist. In one of these lights can be seen a small 'dancing-girl, representing the dance of Salome to obtain the head of St.John.
Since the Sanctuary already contained windows depicting Christ, The Virgin Mary and St John the Baptist, each of these chapels was fitted with a small altar, above which was a stained glass window. The North Chapel, with it's window showing 'The Christ Child Glorified' is dedicated as 'The Chapel of the Holy Innocents', but more commonly called the 'Children's Chapel'.
The South chapel which contains the organ and pipes is somewhat smaller and is the one which attracts me. This is dedicated and is known as
'THE MINERS' CHAPEL'
It was built around 1953 and the stained glass window is most unusual. It contains above a picture of Christ Crucified, and below a panel some 24"x18", a picture in stained glass of a colliery surface, complete with 2 headstocks, one downcast and one upcast, the upcast being accurately portrayed as closed in, and complete with Fan Drift, a colliery spoil heap in the background, and in the foreground, the figure of a Miner, complete with pads, helmet and lamps. The picture is said to closely resemble the one at Creswell. On the wall is a plaque bearing the inscription ' Dedicated to those men who lost their lives in Coal Mines' Also beside the Altar is a display box, containing a lump of coal from Creswell Colliery, and the Red light above the Altar, instead of being the usual one, is a Miner's Oil Lamp with red glass.
At times, the altar has also displayed a framed set of the words to 'The Miner's Hymn' as well as a relatively modern Miner's helmet.
In my 22 years as Treasurer of this Church, I have proudly told people of the story of the 'Creswell Disaster, the Markham 1 Explosion, and some 25 years after it's consecration, of the Markham No.2 (Chair) disaster, all of which affected Clowne and included Clowne men. I have also spent many hours of peaceful reflection in this chapel, often after 'cashing up' on a Monday, and have been asked often, 'but don't you feel lonely, on your own?' My standard and truthful reply is that I am never alone in the Church, especially in that Chapel.
If any of you are visiting this corner of North Derbyshire, I would recommend a visit. Unfortunately, despite weekly use, the Church, being outside the centre of the Village must be kept locked for Insurance purposes, but an e-mail to myself should allow access. Although I now live well away, I still have contact with 'my church' and can arrange for someone to show you around.
In the early 1950's the church was 'extended' in that the exsisting Sanctuary and Altar was moved back from the limits of the Norman Church, the Choir extended, and two additional side chapels built on to give the church a cruciform-style layout. The Church was dedicated to and already contained 6 double light windows depicting the life of
St.John the Baptist. In one of these lights can be seen a small 'dancing-girl, representing the dance of Salome to obtain the head of St.John.
Since the Sanctuary already contained windows depicting Christ, The Virgin Mary and St John the Baptist, each of these chapels was fitted with a small altar, above which was a stained glass window. The North Chapel, with it's window showing 'The Christ Child Glorified' is dedicated as 'The Chapel of the Holy Innocents', but more commonly called the 'Children's Chapel'.
The South chapel which contains the organ and pipes is somewhat smaller and is the one which attracts me. This is dedicated and is known as
'THE MINERS' CHAPEL'
It was built around 1953 and the stained glass window is most unusual. It contains above a picture of Christ Crucified, and below a panel some 24"x18", a picture in stained glass of a colliery surface, complete with 2 headstocks, one downcast and one upcast, the upcast being accurately portrayed as closed in, and complete with Fan Drift, a colliery spoil heap in the background, and in the foreground, the figure of a Miner, complete with pads, helmet and lamps. The picture is said to closely resemble the one at Creswell. On the wall is a plaque bearing the inscription ' Dedicated to those men who lost their lives in Coal Mines' Also beside the Altar is a display box, containing a lump of coal from Creswell Colliery, and the Red light above the Altar, instead of being the usual one, is a Miner's Oil Lamp with red glass.
At times, the altar has also displayed a framed set of the words to 'The Miner's Hymn' as well as a relatively modern Miner's helmet.
In my 22 years as Treasurer of this Church, I have proudly told people of the story of the 'Creswell Disaster, the Markham 1 Explosion, and some 25 years after it's consecration, of the Markham No.2 (Chair) disaster, all of which affected Clowne and included Clowne men. I have also spent many hours of peaceful reflection in this chapel, often after 'cashing up' on a Monday, and have been asked often, 'but don't you feel lonely, on your own?' My standard and truthful reply is that I am never alone in the Church, especially in that Chapel.
If any of you are visiting this corner of North Derbyshire, I would recommend a visit. Unfortunately, despite weekly use, the Church, being outside the centre of the Village must be kept locked for Insurance purposes, but an e-mail to myself should allow access. Although I now live well away, I still have contact with 'my church' and can arrange for someone to show you around.
