Children remembered
Trees planted for children killed in 1838 Huskar mining tragedy
On Saturday 27 November, one tree for each of the twenty six child victims of the 1838 Huskar Pit mining tragedy were planted by twenty six local children whose ages and genders match those of the Victorian children who lost their lives.
The scale of the Huskar Pit disaster - all of the victims were aged between 7 and 17 - led to a changes in the law that banned children from working in coalmines. There is currently a memorial to the victims near the entrance to the Woodland Trust owned Nabs Wood.
Author and journalist Alan Gallop, who wrote Children of the Dark, which tells the story of the disaster, arranged for the planting to take place as part of Tree For All.
The trees were planted either side of the pathway leading from the Huskar Pit memorial to Nabs Wood. Hazel trees were selected because when they mature, they will form a natural “tunnel,” giving the effect of walking down a mining tunnel not dissimilar to those used by men, women and children working in the Silkstone mines of the 19th century.
Alan Gallop said: "Tree For All is all about how today's children can get to grips with nature and have fun planting trees. It seemed appropriate that some of those children should become involved in a project which aims to remember children from their village who worked in slave-like conditions 166 years ago. I hope the children will take ownership of the trees and enjoy watching them grow. It will be wonderful that as both they and the saplings mature into adulthood, the children will remember why they were planted and develop an appreciation of trees and nature."
Tree For All is the UK’s largest ever children’s tree planting campaign which will provide one million children with the chance to plant 12 million trees – that’s one tree for every child under the age of 16.
For media enquiries contact:
The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121, e-mail: media@woodland-trust.org.uk or Alan Gallop tel. 07778 838047.
Notes to editors:
1 Nabs Wood – directions
The wood is situated approximately 6 miles to the west of Barnsley and is on the southern edge of the village of Silkstone Common. Access is directly from the public highway ( SE295039 ) of Moor End Lane, which links Silkstone Common to Hood Green.
If approaching from the south – come off at Jnc 37 of M1 – turn left and follow the A628 for approx half a mile. Turn left on to the B6099. When you approach Dodwirth take the next right onto the B6449 and stay on this until you arrive at Silkstone Common.
(continued overleaf)
In Silkstone Common, just before the railway station on the right – turn left into Moorend Lane.
Travelling from Barnsley:
Take the A6133 out of Barnsley and follow B6099 which crosses over the M1. As you approach Dodworth turn left onto B6499. Continue as above.
Notes to editors:
The Woodland Trust: The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters. The Trust has four key aims: i) No further loss of ancient woodland; ii) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; iii) Increasing new native woodland; iv) Increasing people’s understanding and enjoyment of woodland.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free. Further news can be found at www.woodland-trust.org.uk
