By Margaret Crosby

Published at 11:08, Thursday, 28 June 2012

AROUND 80 people enjoyed an open day event at Whitehaven’s Colliery Mission, at Ginns, over the weekend.

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Star of the show was the mission’s collection of historic banners that have just been returned following an £18,000 restoration.

There were also many extracts reproduced from The Whitehaven News on display, recording the mission’s early days in 1900, and written snapshots of its history from each decade. Some old photos, and some modern ones too, proved just as intriguing.

“Everyone seemed to enjoy looking into the history of the mission, and some found references to their own history too,’’ said John Rule, who had organised the banner restoration and the open day exhibition.

“Attendance was good considering the weekend’s bad weather.

“I am happy that this collection of 16 banners, which represent a unique part of the town’s social and religious history, have been saved. They were 100 years old and in a very fragile state and wouldn’t have lasted much longer.

“I’d like to thank all those who supported us in this project.

“Special thanks must go to textile conservator Michelle Harper of Trentham, Stoke, who worked her magic and to the funders: Cumberland Waste Management Environmental Trust, Neighbourhood Forum, Cumbria Community Fund, and Copeland Community Fund.

“We are just the custodians of the banners. They are part of our history and are now preserved for future generations.’’

The Colliery Mission in its present location opened in 1961, prior to which it had been situated at the northern end of Bentinck Row in what was the old Glass House School.

It was created to provide a religious focus for the miners and their families of the Ginns and district. It celebrated its centenary in 2005.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk