Key Points
- A metal statue measuring 7ft (2.1m) of a miner was unveiled in Dame Emily Park in Bedminster, Bristol, marking the death of ten miners in an explosion in the underground area 140 years ago.
- This happened on 10th September 1886, when miners lost their lives in the Dean Lane Pit and were seriously injured in the incident.
- Gary Atterton, from Bedminster Coalminers Heritage Group, explained that the monument sheds light on a “hidden chapter of Bristol’s history” where thousands of miners worked in the four biggest coal pits of Bedminster.
- The volunteers had to cover graffiti on the middle part of the statue, which occurred only a few days before its unveiling.
- This statue, donated by the Somerset District Miners Welfare Trust, is located next to a skate park, which is right beside where the mine used to be situated.
- There is a white ceramic plaque at the bottom of the statue, which has inscribed names of all ten people that died and commemorates the bravery of the coal miners and their families that built the Bedminster community.
- This statue was unveiled by Tina Huckle-Mills, great-great-great-granddaughter of William Garland, one of the ten victims who was only 29 years old.
Bedminster (Bristol Express News) – September 11, 2026 – A striking 7ft-tall metal sculpture now stands in Dame Emily Park, serving as a permanent tribute to ten miners who lost their lives in a devastating pit disaster 140 years ago.
As reported by Lucy Tegg of BBC News, the monument takes the form of a black silhouette of a miner wearing a helmet and holding a pick-axe aloft. It is positioned adjacent to a local skate park, directly over the historical site where the entrance to the Dean Lane Pit once stood.
Why Was the Bedminster Miners Memorial Erected?
Detailing the background of the monument, Gary Atterton of the Bedminster Coalminers Heritage Group explained to BBC News journalist Lucy Tegg that he hoped the metal figure would remind the public of a “forgotten part of Bristol’s history.”
Mr Atterton elaborated on the scale of the local industry to BBC News, stating,
“We had four major coal mines in Bedminster and thousands of workers over the years, toiling below our feet.”
According to historical records cited in the coverage by Lucy Tegg, the tragedy unfolded on 10 September 1886, when a massive underground explosion ripped through the Dean Lane Pit. The disaster killed ten workers—including a 15-year-old boy—and left numerous others injured.
How Did the Community Respond to Vandalism Prior to the Unveiling?
Despite the positive intent behind the community project, the unveiling faced an untimely hurdle. As noted by BBC News reporter Lucy Tegg, Gary Atterton expressed his disappointment after discovering that the statue had been vandalised with graffiti days before the ceremony.
In response, local volunteers quickly mobilised to paint over the tags that had been sprayed across the mid-section of the metal miner silhouette, ensuring the memorial was restored in time for the public debut.
The statue itself was generously donated by the Somerset District Miners Welfare Trust. Discussing its placement in the public park, Gary Atterton told BBC News that it was given
“to the people of Bedminster, so we can celebrate, commemorate and think about the past and, hopefully, people in this park will start asking questions about why it is here.”
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What Details Are Displayed on the Memorial Plaque?
Situated at the feet of the metal miner is a cream-coloured ceramic plaque featuring black typed lettering. As documented by Lucy Tegg for BBC News, the plaque lists the individual names of the ten miners who perished in the 1886 explosion.
Furthermore, the inscription features a heartfelt tribute dedicated to
“the coalminers and their families whose courage helped shape the community of Bedminster.”
The honour of unveiling the monument was given to Tina Huckle-Mills. As highlighted by BBC News journalist Lucy Tegg, Ms Huckle-Mills holds a direct familial link to the disaster as the great-great-great-granddaughter of William Garland, who was only 29 years old when he lost his life in the Dean Lane Pit.
Background of the Particular Development
The unveiling of the Dame Emily Park monument brings long-overdue visibility to the industrial heritage of South Bristol. For generations, the coal mining history of Bedminster remained largely obscured beneath urban development, residential expansion, and modern recreational spaces like skate parks. The Dean Lane Pit was part of a thriving coalfield that operated from the medieval period through to the late 19th century, profoundly shaping the social fabric, economy, and demographic growth of the area.
Organisations like the Bedminster Coalminers Heritage Group have worked to unearth these local narratives, ensuring that the sacrifices of working-class labourers—many of whom faced immense perils underground without modern health and safety protections—are formally remembered by contemporary residents.
This historical development is expected to significantly heighten local civic pride and historical awareness among the residents of Bedminster and the wider Bristol community. By placing a prominent, thought-provoking sculpture in a high-traffic public space like Dame Emily Park, the initiative will likely spark educational engagement among younger generations who use the park daily, encouraging them to research local industrial roots.
For the local community—particularly descendants of the region’s historical mining families—the permanent memorial validates their ancestors’ struggles and contributions, fostering a deeper sense of connection to the local heritage and encouraging municipal vigilance in preserving historical landmarks against vandalism.
