The last year of Littleton Colliery.
The new special exhibition at the National Coal Mining Museum for England, is titled Littleton by Luke Unsworth. The photographic exhibition opens on Monday 26 January and will run for 13 weeks.
The exhibition is based on the miners and community around of Littleton Colliery in Cannock, Staffordshire. It takes a look at what happened to an industrial community when the industry was dismantled.
Littleton Colliery was the last deep mine in the Cannock Chase Coalfield. It closed on 10 December 1993 with the loss of 600 jobs. Littleton was not on British Coal’s original closure list and the decision to close it was seen by many as political not economic.
Imogen Holmes-Roe, Curator of Art & Photography at the Museum comments: “By juxtaposing images recording Littleton shortly before its closure with those showing the site and its workers today, this exhibition is a powerful reminder of the impact that the coal industry once had, and continues to have on its surrounding communities. For many, Littleton will evoke important memories, but Unsworth’s photographs also touch upon the effects of social, cultural and physical change which are themes that any community can identify with.”
Luke Unsworth, artist said: "Bringing the Littleton exhibition to the National Coal Mining Museum is really the climax of the project for me. The project is very local and indeed personal to the Staffordshire district, so it is fantastic to give it a national platform."
The special exhibition closes on Sunday 26 April 2009 and is free to all.
Notes:
- The exhibition is open from Monday 26 January until 26 April 2009
- The Museum is open all year round from 10.00 am until 5.00 pm, except for 24 – 26 December and 1 January.
- Admission is free.
- Free car and coach parking and complete disabled access.
- Children must be at least 5 to go on the underground tour. However, there is an indoor under-5s play area.
- Warm clothing and sensible shoes are recommended for the underground tour. Book your tour on arrival at the Museum. Demand for the tour is high at weekends and during school holidays, so try to arrive before midday.
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