Modifications Proposed to Miner’s Lamp Sculpture
Following comments received during the Public Consultation phase of the Miner’s Lamp project, initial designs will be modified and final designs released in due course.
A big thank you to residents who have taken the time to email in their suggestions and especially ex-miners, we really appreciate your feedback.
In wanting to create a unique sculpture for Ferryhill, that would celebrate the mining heritage of the area and the engineering heritage of the North East; Sculptor, Andrew McKeown took inspiration from the ‘Geordie Lamp’ created by George Stephenson, which was widely used across the North East of England and was manufacted in Newcastle. Andrew wanted to create something different for Ferryhill rather than replicating his eccles lamp at Bowburn, as that type of lamp would have been manufacted in Manchester rather than the North East, and is also subject to copyright.
The Geordie lamp was favoured in the mines of North East England, where Stephenson, who also created the first train engine, had a strong reputation as professional and diligent, and where it was used well into the 19th century. In light of comments received however, the design will be re-visited and modifications made.
The Sculptor is currently working with Primary School Children attending Ferryhill Station School to make clay mining tokens and timecapsules to place inside the final Miner’s Lamp Sculpture, which it is hoped will be installed at Surtees Corner, Ferryhill Station by the end of 2025/early 2026. The project aims to build on other mining memorials created in the Town including the Half-Miners Wheel Memorial located at Dean Bank Park, which was installed in 2020 to commemorate the Dean & Chapter Colliery
