A HISTORY OF FEATHERSTONE
THE ACKTON HALL COLLIERY RIOT CENTENARY 1993
In March 1992 Featherstone Town Council set up a working party to consider how to commemorate the centenary of the riot at Ackton Hall Colliery in 1893. They recommended a procession from the graves of the two men who died to a memorial to be erected in the precinct in Station Lane. The council agreed, and Julia Barton, who designed the murals at the bottom of Station Lane, was commissioned to design the memorial.
In July 1993, the NUM president Arthur Scargill gave a talk in the Central WMC to start the commemoration of the centenary. He had in the past criticised the use of words such as riot and marauding mobs, and was in favour of demonstrators, pickets and striking miners. He had an audience of more than 400 people who were spellbound by his 90 minutes speech, which was full of the fire and brimstone he was famous for. He said "I am here tonight to right a wrong that for far too long has been allowed to go unchallenged. There was no riot on September 7, 1893. The action of the authorities and the troops amounted to a conspiracy to murder".
Tony Lumb and Brian Lewis published a book on the subject titled Featherstone and its 1893 Disturbance. It was complied from stories passed down through the generations and reports of inquests, the inquiry and contemporary accounts. The photo of Tony Lumb and Brian Lewis is by the Express.
In August it was announced Arthur Scargill would lead the procession from the cemetery and dedicate the memorial which was being made by David Poskett in his Ackton Hall Forge from recycled mining equipment including pit props, a haulage rope pully and an arch girder. The Express photo shows Julia Barton and David Poskett in Ackton Hall forge.
Ian Clayton of Yorkshire Art Circus wrote a play called The Enemy Within which would be staged at the library and community centre during centenary week, September 6-10. He said it was a work of his imagination as much as a work of fact. National Theatre director Stephen Langridge said "It's an amazing piece of work. Everyone feels very strongly about the story which is incredibly important in the history of the place".
THE PROCESSION
On September 7 there was a large gathering in Featherstone Cemetery for the start of the proceedings. Unless otherwise stated. all the following photos were taken by Sam Spragg. The grave headstones, which were in poor condition and in danger of falling over, had been renovated and reset by Wakefield District Council.
Revd Stuart Ramsden held a short service at the gravesides. The three local MP's joined Arthur Scargill for a wreaths and flowers laying ceremony while Frickley South Elmsall Band played suitable music.
For the NUM Ken Capstick said "We are here to honour the memories of James Gibbs and Arthur Duggan, who died at the ruthless hands of the state as miners tried to resist a 25% reduction in wages. We are also here to identify ourselves, and demonstrate our solidarity with the Featherstone community of brave men and women who suffered the loss of two of its sons. They have been wrongly described as as a mob and rioters and, as a miner, I am proud to take part in today's events*. Cr Graham Isherwood said "This is history being made here today and we must never forget this because it must never happen again. Featherstone has now been put on the national map and I have great honour in witnessing such a marvellous turnout of people who have come to pay their respects to two men who gave their lives for the fight for jobs in the community". They then assembled for the march to the precinct in Station Lane.
The march nearing the end of its journey in Station Lane. Photo - The Express.
THE UNVEILING
When the memorial was unveiled, Cr Steve Vickers said "These men died because because they stood against injustice similar to the fight against injustice in 1984 which we all shared in. It was an injustice when British Coal closed our colliery in Featherstone and this monument serves to recognise these injustices and the struggle against them. It is also a memorial to our mining heritage in Featherstone". Photo - Dr J Gatecliff. The photo of the centre piece is by Roy Saxton.
Arthur Scargill remarked on doubts being cast whether or not James Duggan was indeed a peaceable man and said "But he was described by two witnesses as completely innocent. And he was shot in the back of the leg, which suggests he was walking away. That these men were murdered there is no longer any doubt. This union has struggled throughout the century to bring justice to those it represents. But there is no-one who can speak in support of James Gibbs and James Duggan and that is why we are here today. There was a conspiracy to murder and questions still need to be asked 100 years on". Photo - Sam Spragg.
The following two photos are by (in order) Sam Spragg and the Express.
CONCLUSION
Chantry Housing Association was approached to name two streets on its new housing development adjacent to Cedar Walk after the two miners who died. The manager, Steve Close, said "I think it is an excellent idea and we are happy to be involved". The street signs are from Google Street View.
A 15 minutes long video and commemorative brochure were on sale in the library. At a private screening in the Community Centre in November Cr Graham Isherwood said "We are hoping this video and brochure can be used to get some interest back into Featherstone", Regarding the naming of two streets in the Cedar Walk development after James Gibbs and James Duggan he said "Like this new housing development, I want to see us keep on tidying up these places and making this town a better place to live".