A SERVICE in memory of miners in Selby will be held at the Abbey tomorrow.
The Miners' Memorial Day Service starts at 1pm and is open to all, and aims to help retain public awareness of those who were injured or killed while mining in the area.
This is the twelfth memorial service, but the first time it has been held in Selby since 2010.
Chris Kitchen, NUM secretary for the Yorkshire area, said thousands of jobs had been lost since the last time the service was held in Selby.
He said: "It is important that we remember those who have died and those who have suffered injuries in the pursuit of winning the coal that benefited communities.
"Despite the eradication of the coal industry, the history of coal mining is not eradicated and there are still thousands of former miners who remember and will pass on our history to future generations so that they can remember as we do now."
Standards from various branches of the National Union of Miners have been raised inside the Abbey as a mark of respect prior to the service.
Mr Kitchen said: "The legacy of coal mining should be that communities are stronger by working together, our young are as important as our old, and we all have a part to play."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here