A beloved statue celebrating Barnsley's rich mining heritage has been restored to its rightful place in the town center after spending five years in storage. The artwork, which depicts a young boy standing atop a towering six-meter column that represents the famous Barnsley coal seam, has been relocated to a new prominent position on Midland Street, adjacent to the Tommy Taylor Memorial Bridge.
Originally installed in Barnsley in 2012, the statue was temporarily moved to storage at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park in 2020 to make way for the construction of The Glass Works development project. The sculpture is surrounded by beautiful Yorkstone paving that features engraved names of local mines, serving as a permanent tribute to the area's industrial past. The statue's base includes inscriptions of villages and small towns that were integral to the region's coal mining industry.
Sir Stephen Houghton, the leader of Barnsley Council, emphasized the deep significance of the statue's return to the community. "Mining made this town, made this borough, made us the people we are - we must not forget that," he stated during the unveiling ceremony. Houghton revealed that residents had "constantly" been inquiring about when the beloved statue would return to its place in the town center, demonstrating the strong emotional connection the community has with this memorial.
Kenny Hunter, the artist who designed the sculpture, expressed his satisfaction with the statue's new location, describing himself as "delighted" that the Barnsley boy had returned to such a "prestigious and prominent" position. The statue has been strategically positioned to face toward Oakwell Stadium, and Hunter noted with enthusiasm, "Hopefully from up there he can watch the football on a Saturday." When the statue was originally unveiled, the young boy was adorned with a Barnsley FC scarf, symbolizing the town's pride in both its industrial heritage and its beloved football team.
The statue's positioning carries deeper symbolic meaning beyond its connection to local sports. The bronze figure is also angled toward The Oaks, the site of England's most devastating mining disaster, creating a poignant memorial to those who lost their lives in the mines. Chris Skidmore, Yorkshire chair of the National Union of Mineworkers, who attended the unveiling ceremony, interpreted the statue as representing the young workers who labored in the dangerous conditions underground. "Far too many kids got killed underground," Skidmore solemnly observed, adding that "it is unwise to forget about what happened in those villages and the people not only who worked there, but the people who died there."
The Thursday unveiling ceremony was marked by a special performance from the Made2Measure brass band, creating a festive atmosphere while honoring the statue's historical significance. Representatives from the National Union of Mineworkers were present to pay their respects and acknowledge the importance of preserving mining heritage. Skidmore emphasized that the communities engraved at the base of the column continue to maintain their identity rooted in the coal mining industry even today, stating, "It is a mining statue, but it's about the community it represents."
The return of the Barnsley boy statue represents more than just the restoration of public art; it symbolizes the community's commitment to remembering and honoring the generations of miners who shaped the region's identity. The sculpture serves as a bridge between past and present, ensuring that future generations will understand and appreciate the sacrifices and contributions of those who worked in the coal industry that defined Barnsley for centuries.
