Auchengeich Miner

I pass this scene a lot on my way to visit my sister in Moodiesburn, Lanarkshire. Until this morning I have never stopped to look closer. There is a statue and memorial garden there.

It comemorates the Auchengeich Mining Disaster onSeptember 18, 1959, when a fire trapped 47 miners underground. Smoke from the blaze ? caused by an electrical fault 1,000ft below the surface killed all 47. It's sad to think that these working class men left home to go to work to provide for their families and never returned.

In November 2009 a particularly disgusting event took place. Some low life stole the original bronze statue. Luckily sculptor John McKenna had the kept the mould and a replacement was cast and re dedicated at the garden in June 2010. The new statue is now fitted with a tracker device. Sad times we live in.