The little UK town with a thriving high street that’s bounced back after a major collapse | UK | News

A Yorkshire town, which was once hardly hit by the collapse of the coal industry, is developing with new houses, family -friendly parks and an explosive street. Pontefract in Western Yorkshire lost thousands of jobs when Colliery Colliery closed in 2002 after more than a century coal production. At the summit, Çukur employed more than 2,000 men and played a major role in the town’s identity.

71 -year -old Martin, who worked for years in Colliery, said he was still closed to Express. “It was a sad day he was closed, of course, on this issue,” he said. “My father worked there and his father did it in front of him. Then I followed his footprints. It wasn’t just a job, it was part of who we were as a family.” Martin, who did not want to share his surname, said that the closing affects the whole town.

“When they explained that it was closed, he hit the city hard. Many ladies suddenly became unemployed and you could feel the difference immediately.

“The shops were quieter, the souls were low. I felt like everything we knew was slipping.”

After the pit closed, Martin found a job in a local supermarket where he has been working for about 20 years.

“It wasn’t the same as the life of the pit, but I was grateful for the work. You just worked with him.

“Slowly, the town began to find his feet again. More work came, shops took and people clung to each other. This is what he continued.”

Martin, who is now retired, still lives in Pontefract. “I’m happy here. It’s not the same town it used to be, but it’s still at home. I have friends, I have memories, and I’m still going for a walk where there is a pit.”

He said that a monument near the site means a lot for him. “I was proud of seeing it was explained. Good people didn’t forget what it means. Men and their families deserve to be remembered.”

The monument was introduced in 2021 and stands for five meters in Park Road near the old pit entrance.

It was designed by local artist and former mineral Harry Malkin and financed by the renewal company Harworth Group.

Former miner John Hopkins officially introduced former pit workers Garry Foreman, Phil Shaw and Pete Lansfield.

The project was part of a long-term campaign led by local council members, former-miners and Pontefract and Castleford Deputy Yette Cooper.

In 2021, Mrs. Cooper said: “It is great to see this wonderful monument finally. We are working for many years to get it.

“The Prince of Wales Colliery has been a vital part of our history for 140 years and we are proud of it.

“Pontefract was built on licorice root and coal, so we wanted this monument here at the door to the Wales Prince as well as passing to Pontefract.”

“Everyone can see this proud praise here to the miners who work here for generations and strengthen the country, and families and communities that support them.

“My grandfather was a miner, and many people here come from mining families, so we know what this means.”

The artist Harry Malkin said that the steel and stone statue was inspired by the mining cage that took the men up and down from the shaft.

“Using the profile cutting steel panels, it gives it a feeling of direction and drama, and the miners are safe by ‘cage’, but at the same time, it is trapped in an underground life where we fight for a long time.”

Bay Hopkins, who has been working in the pit for more than 20 years, said, Çak In the brightest period, Çukur employed more than 2,000 men and broke 34,000 tons of coal per week.

“This monument honors everyone who works at the Prince of Wales and will never forget the legacy of local miners and their families.”

The Colliery site has been transformed since then. In 2013, Harworth Group received planning permission to build more than 900 houses on the field with shops, cafes, green space and community facilities.

In the same year, the work started and most of the development has been completed now.

“Pontefract is definitely a sweet success story.

“Visitors can see the pitoresque residues of Pontefract Castle, or enjoy Pontefract Park owner of the Green Flag award.

“Students can be perfect at New College Pontefract, and at the same time hosting the Pontefract race track, the longest continuous flat racing track in Europe.”

The town has also seen millions of investments in recent years. 21 million pounds aspire@Themark Leisure Center 2021 on a swimming pool, gym, climbing wall and open sites opened.

The Council also enters the Pontefract market of £ 6.47 million, while the town is £ 3.35 million in the “Streets for Humans” plan to improve security, public transportation and access around the town.

“We are proud of Pontefract’s roots of coal mining,” the Council said. “The closure of the Prince of Wales Colliery led to the development of new housing and community facilities by emphasizing the region’s important mining heritage.

“But something really striking about Pontefract is a warm and hospitable place with a magnificent community. We are proud of Pontefract, but we understand that there is always more to do.”

Today, Pontefract is a lively live market town to be seen and to be made. Pontefract Castle offers panoramic landscapes, dungeon tours and family -friendly events throughout the year.

There is also a local observatory that hosts Pontefract Park, Frriarwood Valley Gardens and public star nights.

Robin Hood Pub Ale Lovers next to its beer factory is full of cafes, boutiques and history of a hit and the Georgian buildings of the town.

Every year, Pontefract hosts popular events such as Armed Forces Day, Proms, Light Up and Meydancı Festival in Kale.

For others who remembered the last days of the pit, the healing of the town was slow but stable.

“Not perfect,” he said. “But it makes a way. And that’s important.”