THE KELTY MINING HERITAGE EXHIBITION
26th and 27th March 2017
Kelty Celebrates Its Mining Heritage
Kelty celebrated the contribution that coal mining has made to the local community with and exhibition of mining heritage. Working with the Scottish Mining Museum and mining historian Chris Sparling, local history was told in pictures, print and prose. There were displays of equipment worn and used by miners and the mines rescue service and a replica of a miner’s row cottage complete with a cast iron range a tin bath and a canary. Visitors were treated to some humorous memories of a retired miner by Pat Rattray and on a more serious note the role of women in mining by Maggie Wright and finally Henry Hynd gave an account of the 1957 Lindsay Pit Disaster. For younger visitors there was the opportunity to try games that their grandparents would have played and the chance to experience the cramped and dark space that a miner would have to work in. Pupils from Kelty Primary School performed a song, to commemorate Jenny Lee, to the visitors and pupils from St Joseph’s RC Primary School, on Monday afternoon. Convenor of the Kelty Mining Heritage Group, Betty Rodden, said that the event has exceeded her expectations. She would like to thank all those who have contributed artefacts and expertise to the exhibition and to members of the public for their support.
setting up the hall
Setting up the hall Saturday morning
Setting up the hall
Positioning the photographs
Setting up the hall
Preparing the photographs for hanging
Setting up the hall
The Kelty Gala stand
Setting up the hall
The miner's cottage
Setting up the hall
Constructing the faceline
Setting up the hall
Constructing the faceline
St Joseph's RC Primary School
All the exhibits on this stand were produced by the children at St Joseph's.
The opening ceremony
Visitors were entertained by the Kelty and Blairadam Pipe Band.
The Opening Ceremony
Vote of thanks by Mrs Betty Rodden.
The opening ceremony
Vote of thanks by Mrs Betty Rodden.
The opening ceremony
The exhibition was officially opened by Pat Rattray, Henry Hynd and Jim Brydie.
The main display area
The main display area Sunday afternoon
The main display area
The main display area Sunday afternoon
The main display area
Jim Brydie with his simulated faceline
The main display area
The main display area Sunday afternoon
The main display area
The miner's cottage
The main display area
The miner's cottage
The main display area
Working with coal stand
The main display area
Dressed for work
The main display area
The main display area
Dave Reid with a quoit
The main display area
The Kelty Gala stand
The main display area
The Mines Rescue Service
The main display area
The main display area
Kelty Library
Jim Douglas in front of his mural in Kelty Library
The break out room
Maggie Wright gave a presentation on women and the pits.
The main display area
The main display area
Pat Rattray demonstrates the gird and cleek.
Kelty Primary School
Children from Kelty Primary School performed their tribute to Jennie Lee.
The Kelty Mining Heritage Group
The members of the team