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All the United Kingdom England Barnsley Oaks Memorial Sculpture
AO Edited

Oaks Memorial Sculpture

Graham Ibbesons's moving tribute to the victims of England's worst mining disaster.

Barnsley, England

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Jim F
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Oaks Disaster Sculpture   Jim F / Atlas Obscura User
Oaks Disaster Sculpture   Jim F / Atlas Obscura User
Oaks Disaster Sculpture   Jim F / Atlas Obscura User
Oaks Disaster Sculpture   Jim F / Atlas Obscura User
Oaks Disaster Sculpture   Jim F / Atlas Obscura User
Oaks Disaster Sculpture   Jim F / Atlas Obscura User
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About

A stone's throw from the Dickie Bird statue, also crafted by local sculptor Graham Ibbeson, is the tribute to the 1866 Oaks colliery disaster. The incident claimed the lives of 361 miners when firedamp caused huge explosions in the shafts.

The sculpture depicts a woman carrying a child after hearing news of the explosions. Coal flows from her back, a reference to the fossil fuel being the backbone of the industry. Around the edges of the sculpture, a miner works and a relief displays the circle of life for a mining generation. On the plinth, it simply reads "Oaks Colliery Disaster 1866."

The sculpture was unveiled in 2017 and was paid for largely through public donations and fundraising. Ibbotson crafted the sculpture free of charge because his family had a rich mining history. In fact, one of his own ancestors died in the disaster.

Related Tags

Sculptures Mining History & Culture Outsider Art

Know Before You Go

There are plenty of car parks and on-street parking is close to the statue, which is situated just beyond the outer walls of the church, just across from the Dickie Bird statue.

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Jim F

Published

March 1, 2021

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Oaks Memorial Sculpture
41-43 Church St
Barnsley, England, S70 2AH
United Kingdom
53.555542, -1.482397
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Nearby Places

Dickie Bird Statue

Barnsley, England

miles away

Tommy Taylor Grave

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Barnsley Main Colliery

Barnsley, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Barnsley

Barnsley

England

Places 6

Nearby Places

Dickie Bird Statue

Barnsley, England

miles away

Tommy Taylor Grave

Barnsley, England

miles away

Barnsley Main Colliery

Barnsley, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Barnsley

Barnsley

England

Places 6

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