A new memorial been unveiled to remember freeminers who died in mining accidents in the Forest of Dean.
The 7ft (2.13m) monument made of steel and stone stands next to Pan Tod beacon on Ruardean Hill, Gloucestershire and records the names of 50 men.
It has been built by ex-miner Ernie Hughes whose father Leslie died at the Northern United colliery in Cinderford in 1951, aged 45.
Mr Hughes said he had wanted to set up the memorial “all his life”.
He said: “We wanted to set up the monument so everybody would have a record of what went on in the mines.”
The former leader of the House of Lords Baroness Royall, who lives in nearby Blaisdon, helped Mr Hughes with the unveiling of the memorial.
She said: “It’s sad because its a memorial to people who died, but it’s a great celebration of our traditions and heritage in the Forest of Dean.
“The wealth of the Forest of Dean was built thanks to mining.”
Freeminer is the ancient title given to a Forest of Dean miner who has earned the right to work personal plots.
To qualify, freeminers have to have been born in an area known as the Hundred of St Briavels and to have worked underground for more than a year and a day.
The photo shows supporters of the Pan Tod Community Space on Ruardean Hill.
Pan Tod is an area on Ruardean Hill and is the highest point of the FOD with amazing views. It houses a flag pole, National Beacon, miners memorials and wild flower area with over 80 species of wild flowers and a wildlife pond. It is a community space which provides free access for many community groups as well as local people and visitors to the area. The friends of Pan Tod maintain this area for the community.
In June of last year ,The rotary club supported them with £500 towards a replacement mower. The Rotary Club was the first to make Pan Tod an award, which spurred us on to fundraise and to seek more sponsorship at which we were obviously successful.
Sunset at Pan Tod Beacon, Ruardean Hill with Miner memorial
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