Release Issued by NCM:
Robert Napier Opens Special Exhibition at Coal Mining Museum
A new exhibition, Changing Landscapes, was opened at the National Coal Mining Museum on 4 February by Robert Napier, Chairman of national regeneration agency, English Partnerships. The Museum was delighted with the response the exhibition received from guests at the official opening and from the general public.
Changing Landscapes focuses on the physical and social changes that have taken place at colliery sites and in mining villages since the closure programme. The exhibition provides a visual, two phase case study of pits from around six English regions, looking at the working mine and the current landscape. Designed as a working model, the Museum hopes that other communities will be inspired to add to the exhibition in the same way as it tours to other venues from June 2008.
The Museum will be running special workshops from March 2008 near the Grimethorpe and Houghton Main colliery sites. Workshops will be run by the Museum’s education team and a professional photographer. As the exhibition draws to a close a photography competition will take place at the Museum encompassing all the photos taken by schools and community groups.
Robert Napier said of the exhibition "It is a great pleasure for me to open this exhibition.”
“Coal mining has played such an important role in our industrial heritage and it is vital that the history of the industry is kept alive for future generations. The exhibition will help younger generations gain a full understanding of the role coal mining played in shaping their communities and how things have moved on. I am proud that English Partnerships has been able to contribute through its National Coalfields Programme to the success of many of these former mining areas. I highly commend both this exhibition and the National Coal Mining Museum to all; it is an excellent free resource."
Rosemary Preece, Curatorial Director said “The exhibition gives a fascinating insight into the changes that have taken place around coal mining sites within a single generation. The exhibition will increase knowledge of these historic photographic collections and also, through the involvement of local communities, will grow and develop with the addition of new images.”
Changing Landscapes will be open until 18 May 2008 and is one of the many free attractions to enjoy at the National Coal Mining Museum. The exhibition will then tour a number of coal field areas around the country.
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