A HISTORIC pit museum held an open day to encourage visitors and volunteers.

The team at Barnsley Main, on Oaks Lane in Hoyle Mill, opened the site up to visitors on Saturday - where the volunteers hold their twice-weekly pop-up museum.

The former pit - known for being the site of the ‘Oaks Disaster’ which took the lives of 383 people in 1866 - is a ‘rare survivor’ of South Yorkshire mining heritage, and has a colourful past which volunteers share with visitors.

Mining memorabilia was on show to inspect and activities for children were put on.

Sarah Dewey, volunteer media manager for the site, said it was nice to welcome people for a weekend open day after a pause during the pandemic.

“It’s really great to get people out and about here again.

“We’d love people to come and help out at the site if they would like to.

“We’re open from 10am to 12pm on Mondays and Thursdays, but we can open at other times if peope let us know in advance.”

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People can contact the group via email, at barnsleymainheritage@gmail.com, or on their Facebook page - Barnsley Main Heritage Group.