It was an honour to attend the blessing of Dodworth miners’ banner this afternoon at St John the Baptist Church.
Thanks to Reverend Canon Keith Farrow who conducted the service, Eric Richardson and everyone involved in restoring the banner which was only possible with so many generous local donations.
It was a pleasure to join the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Barnsley, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Penistone & Stocksbridge Marie Tidball and former MP Mick Clapham.
We remember all the men who worked down the pit, those who lost their lives and the many who as a result struggle with poor health. The banner like the many across Barnsley tells a story about challenges miners’ faced and their campaigns for better working conditions.
I spoke about my campaign to address the unfairness of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme. I don’t believe the Government should be in the business of profiting from miners’ pensions and I will continue to fight for change.
