WE live in an area with a rich mining history.

But sometimes Skares is the town that time forgot.

Not anymore.

Earlier this month, thanks to a £12,000 contribution from the Minerals Trust, the much-anticipated miners memorial was unveiled in an emotional ceremony.

Community councillor William Corson was behind the plans and reckons the structure is a fitting tribute to the village’s past.

He said: “There has been a lot going on in the village. We erected the war memorial last year and also put up a notice board for people to fill with photos so we could share some memories.

“With all the coal and associated and industries that operated here we felt a lasting tribute to the people, who worked in that very important industry, was required.

“People can drive through and not even realise that this was once a mining village. There were 118 miners houses and a lot of people were brought up in Skares who have moved on.

“It was a very different place back in the 50s.” Jim Campbell played the pipes to get the ceremony underway. Willie Corson paid tribute to local miners before the memorial, designed and constructed by Russell Brook, was revealed.

Councillors Billy Crawford and Barney Menzies were also at the ceremony alongside around 70 locals.

Mining group Hargreaves provided tea and sandwiches, while the village is indebted to Crawford Sloan who gave up the ground for the village use.

Willie added: “Everyone made a telling contribution and we’re delighted we now have something tangible to show for our mining past.”