An exhibition inspired by West Cumbria’s iron ore mining history will open this weekend.
The show, at Florence Mine, will be launched on Saturday, March 1 and includes a collection of material about Florence Mine and the associated mines at Ullcoats and Beckermet, which once employed hundreds of local men.
The mine was the last deep iron ore mine in western Europe when it closed in 2007.
Over the last six months, people with stories to tell about the mine have been gathering for tea and craic at the mine, in Florence Arts Centre, and gradually objects, photos and even artwork have come to light which they have formed into a display.
Photographs focus on the people who worked on the sites – mostly men, but there are a few shots of some young women from the offices in Beckermet too.
As with many of the photos, the organisers are asking for visitors’ help to name the subjects and add any more information to the archives before the details are lost for ever.
The arts centre is in the old changing room and shower block of the mine and there are photos of the space as it was and someone has even rescued the soap dispenser – with its Imperial Leather stickers!
Experiences in the mine have inspired poetry and artwork by the ex-workers.
There are poems by Billy Kitto and Billy King and the poster image is from a large oil painting by Glyn Trodden.
Many of the photos from the 1960s are by Billy King too. Don Pickthall’s tiny models of the bogies and miners were once sold in the heritage centre shop, and a few precious examples have survived and are also on show.
Other artists have been inspired by the mine too – there is a copy of an early Percy Kelly painting and designs by Conrad Atkinson. There is work using the artist materials produced by Florence Paintmakers – rich red soft pastels.
Sounds and images are also supplied by the young Cumbrian artists Julia Parks and Amy Johnston.
A Portrait of Florence by Alex Culshaw looks at the history of the Paintmakers products in parallel with the story of the last mine manager, Gilbert Finlinson, who has lent many of the objects on display.
Florence Arts director Sue Mackay said: “We hope people will enjoy the display and help us to gather information and support. We’d like to look at a more permanent exhibition but only if local people want it.”
The exhibition is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until June 2.
