THE people of Kearsley gathered yesterday to remember the lives lost in the town’s worst mining disaster.

A special service was held at St Stephen’s Church where 140 years ago families would have been burying those who had died after an explosion ripped through Unity Brook Colliery, which was sited just off Manchester Road.

Poignantly children laid 43 roses on the alter, one for each man and boy who died on March 12, 1878, during the service.

Some of those killed were the same age of the youngsters at the service.

Later this year a memorial will be installed near the site of the disaster.

Among those gathered was Bernie Lomax, the great-granddaughter of John Tickle Lomax.

He is buried in the grounds of the church.

She said: “My great-grandfather was just 31-years-old.

“There have been memorials to miners in Salford and I always wanted one here.

“I am really pleased that the service is taking place, and that there will be a permanent memorial.

Readings were given and prayers were said. Children from five schools read out parts on the inquests reports before singing the specially composed Hope For A Better Tomorrow song. Kearsley Youth Brass Band provided the music.

Stephen Tonge, community officer for Churches on the Mount, who helped to co-ordinate the special service, said: “It is very important for us to bring to the fore the industrial heritage of our community, to let our young people know about the foundation their community was built on and the sacrifice made by the colliers many of whom were children.”

Historian Simon Colley told the packed church how the devastating tragedy unfolded and pictures of the disaster drawn at the time were shown for the first time.

He said: “I hope when we see the memorial it reminds us of the men and boys who never returned from that work that day, and of the lives all all the Kearsley miners who lives without the luxuries we take for granted today.

“ And, just to make enough money to survive and keep food on the table.”