The Somerset Miners Welfare Trust was proud to attend the unveiling of the latest metal miner, now standing on the wall of the Jolly Collier pub on West Street in Bedminster, Bristol.
Trust Chairman Bryn Hawkins and fellow trustee Selwyn Rees were invited to the event, which marked a special milestone for the metal miners project. This is the first metal miner to be installed on a wall rather than on a freestanding frame, and the result is striking. Mounted against the exterior of the pub, the silhouette catches the eye of passers-by and serves as a powerful reminder of the area’s deep connections to the coal mining industry.
Bedminster and the surrounding areas of South Bristol have a rich coal mining heritage that stretches back centuries. Coal was extracted from pits across this part of the city long before the Somerset coalfield reached its peak in the early twentieth century, and the Jolly Collier pub itself takes its name from the miners who once lived and worked in the neighbourhood.
An accompanying leaflet available at the site explains the local mining history in more detail, giving visitors an insight into the coal industry that once shaped everyday life in Bedminster.
More than 30 Miners
This installation brings the total number of metal miners across North Somerset and Bristol to over thirty, with more planned. What began as a simple idea to remind communities that coal mines once operated on their doorstep has grown into one of the most visible heritage projects in the region. From the town centre in Midsomer Norton to Radstock Museum and now the streets of Bristol, the silhouettes continue to spark conversations and keep the memory of the Somerset miners alive.
If you know of a location that would be suitable for a future metal miner, or if you have photographs, stories or memories connected to coal mining in the area, the trust would love to hear from you.