Industrial And Transport

The Westhoughton Pretoria Pit Collaboration 2025

The Westhoughton Pretoria Pit Collaboration 2025 - it is 115 years since the infamous Pretoria Pit disaster which occurred on December 21, 1910. It was one of the worst mining tragedies in British history, claiming 344 lives. The tragedy shaped the community in and around Westhoughton for decades. Our concern is that as time passes, these tragic events have faded from living memory and little, if any physical evidence of mining heritage remains. We believe the memory of this event should be valued by the community, it speaks of a time when life was hard and work was dangerous but people were resilient and the community was strong. Teaching children about the tragedy and its impact on families will nurture their empathy and compassion. By connecting with their local heritage in a human way, it will develop their own sense of identity and pride and maintain that strong community spirit.