Memorials: Miners' Memorial, Conisbrough
Artist: Graham IBBESON

Artist:	not known
TitleOfWork:	Oaks Colliery Disaster Memorial
DateOfWork:	186?
Dimensions:	memorial: 360cm high
Medium:	red sandstone; marble
Location:	Barnsley
Country:	UK - England
Photographer:	Dave Ball
ImageCopyright:	Sheffield Hallam University
AccessionNumber:	b088d
FileSize:	352026
Location: In the churchyard of Christ Church, Ardsley, Barnsley Description: A sandstone pedestal with four marble faces, each inscribed, surmounted by a small obelisk, and with a marble pillar at each corner. Some floral decoration. The whole on two steps, which have been pointed around their base. There may have been a small decorative feature on teh top of the monument, if so this is now missing. Dimensions: memorial: 360cm high pedestal: 65cm square; base: 102cm square 4 columns: 41cm high x 7cm diameter 4 plaques: 52cm high x 34cm wide Condition: Surface - Corrosion beneath upper cornice. Some cracks in carved stone around marble plaques. Lichen on base and obelisk. Structural - Cornice of base broken beneath south side plaque; base of pillar broken; Inscriptions: ERECTED / BY / PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION / TO COMMEMORATE THE / DEATHS OF 354 MEN AND / BOYS, WHO LOST THEIR / LIVES IN THE EXPLOSION / AT THE OAKS COLLIERY ON / DECR 12TH AND 13TH 1866, / OF WHOM 35 ARE / INTERRED HERE. "IT IS A FEARFUL THING TO / FALL INTO THE HANDS OF / THE LIVING GOD HEB. VER. 10 CHAP. 31" "WATCH THEREFORE FOR YE / KNOW NEITHER THE DAY / NOR THE HOUR WHEREIN / THE SON OF MAN COMETH / MATT. CHAP. 25. VER. 13" "BOAST NOT THYSELF OF / TO MORROW FOR THOU / KNOWEST NOT WHAT A / DAY MAY BRING FORTH / PROV. CHAP. 27. VER. 1" The source details at the end of these inscriptions are virtually indecipherable. Commission: Public subscription. Comment: Several miners' graves can be seen in the churchyard adjacent to this monument.