MORE than 120 people gathered at the Pretoria Memorial in Atherton on Saturday for the unveiling of a replica coal tub similar to one used in its mining heyday.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and former Bolton West MP Julie Hilling hosted the occasion which included On the Go Theatre Company members dressed in fitting mining uniforms.
Atherton singer Corrie Shelley performed at the event with Andrea Finney reading one of her poems.
Sue McDonald was present at the event representing Wingates Brass Band, who lost nine band members in the Pretoria Pit disaster on December 21, 1910, where 344 people lost their lives.
The number 344 has been marked on the tub in memory of the people who died in the disaster.
The tub was constructed by Lancashire Mining Museum blacksmith Darren Block with historian Alan Davies providing detailed diagrams to help him with it.
Pretoria Memorial trustee Tony Hogan devised the community group-funded idea.
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