DOZENS of people braved last Thursday’s torrential downpours to pay their respects to fallen ex-miners.
Grimethorpe’s annual mining memorial, held outside St Luke’s Church, attracted 100-plus people before they headed to the village’s working men’s club to raise their glasses.
The popular pre-Christmas event, which was started by Jack Howell in 1993, was taken on by Johnny Wood following the former’s death.
Johnny told the Chronicle: “What Grimethorpe went through shouldn’t be forgotten about - that’s why we all come together, year after year, to remember.
“Respect, pride and togetherness is what’s Grimethorpe’s miners’ reunion is all about.”
Stephanie Peacock, MP for Barnsley South, also attended last week’s reunion.
“I laid a wreath at the memorial - thank you to Johnny and everyone who helps to organise this important event.
“We came together as a community to remember those men who went to work and didn’t come home.”
