Introduction
Today the site has been transformed into a beautiful country park now known as Silverhill Wood. Here the impressive miner statue sits proudly on the former spoil heap in what is now the largest artificial point in the county; however, something is still missing…
A few years ago, a group of former Silverhill miners got together to form “Friends of Silverhill” and set out on a fundraising quest to bring the former colliery headstock wheel back to it’s rightful birthplace. Progress was steady at first, until a meeting took place with Make Consulting MD Craig Gould, and then things really started to move.
Craig instantly connected with what the ex-miners were trying to achieve, as it brought back fond memories of the area where he grew up. In fact, Craig’s grandad was a miner at Silverhill, so he personally knew some of the ex-miners who were involved in this project.
Following meetings with all parties involved, Make Consulting committed to supporting the project by offering their expertise in Quantity Surveying and Project Management, along with covering the total cost of returning the headstock wheel to its former home.
The Challenge
As a heritage project, it was essential to utilise our expertise and resources to draw up planning applications and designs showing how the wheel could fit into a memorial at Silverhill Wood. We felt this would give us the best chance for the application to be accepted and agreed by Forestry England.
Once accepted, the wheel needed to be logistically removed from its current location for refurbishment before finalising transportation to its final destination.
The Solution
Make started drawing up plans and designs in December 2020, demonstrating how the wheel could fit into the planned site and become a memorial to Silverhill. Plans were submitted to Forestry England in early September 2021, with Make assisting in managing the application to its conclusion. The project was approved mid September 2021, much to the delight of all parties concerned, so now it was time to organise the refurbishment of the wheel.
After looking at various options, local contractor JBT Building and Joinery was appointed to collect the wheel and undertake the refurbishment, which they completed in September 2021. They then stored the wheel for some time while the various permissions and consents were arranged.
Another local contractor, Alliance Group Solutions was appointed to undertake the installation works, providing the supporting structures, footpath and seating etc plus arranging for the final installation of the wheel halves, and the associated memorial stone produced by the Fringe Workshop. Although there have been some delays to progress through the pandemic and the requirements for consents from multiple parties, the works are now progressing well and are on course to complete in early August 2024.
Make’s generous financial contribution to the scheme has ensured the works can go ahead with sufficient funding in place to complete the scheme.
Comments
Alan Batterham, 72, worked at Silverhill as a coal face worker from 1980 until it closed and is one of the leading campaigners with the Friends of Silverhill group. This was his reaction…
“It was unbelievable when I was informed that we had secured the funding to bring back the wheel. I was totally overwhelmed. Now we have a real opportunity to make a memorial at Silverhill to all those who worked there.”
Lee Anderson, MP for Ashfield, added: “To have Craig and Make Consulting Limited get involved and fund the project is a massive positive for the heritage of Silverhill and the area of Ashfield.”
And finally from Make…
“This wheel is part of our history and heritage. Today, our children may never see a coal mine again, so they need to know how important it is. The old grey slag heaps may have gone, but we must do our best to place reminders at these sites so future generations can see what their forefathers did.”
“We are really proud to have been a part of this community project.”
