VOLUNTEERS are needed to help maintain a memorial to the Oaks mining disaster after council cutbacks left it without regular maintenance.
The obelisk and statue on Kendray Hill is a memorial to the rescue workers who died in the 1866 disaster and features a planted area which used to be maintained by the council until budget cuts.
Coun Karen Dyson said primary school Forest Academy had offered to help as well as three adult volunteers so far, and she had managed to get some assistance from the Community Payback restorative justice scheme who would be willing to clear the site and reduce the size of the planting beds to make them more manageable ready for replanting.
"What we need is some volunteers to come forward to help with the planting and ongoing maintenance, maybe twice a year, just to keep on top of it," she said.
There were 364 lives lost as a result of the disaster, which was the worst in English mining history. Plans are already underway to commemorate the 150th anniversary in 2016.
Anyone wishing to volunteer should contact Jo Birch at the council's parks department, 770770.
