Former miner John Niland works on his new trade in memory of his old one. Along with other former pit workers and volunteers from his community workshop he has carved ten wooden benches bearing mining motifs. They were unveiled last Friday on Cudworth Common, a former derelict pit site transformed into community woodland. John Niland, a pit deputy, retrained in woodwork and set up a community workshop in Brierley . He said: “It’s been a labour of love carving the benches, particularly for the ex-miners among us, but also for other members of our community workshop. “We hope they are appreciated by the community and last for many years.” The 145 acre site, once part of Grimethorpe Colliery, has also benefited from the planting of 35,000 trees, the creation of trails and wildlife habitats. English Partnerships funded the works and last year the site was signed over to the Land Restoration Trust. The Forestry Commission will manage the woodland.
