I remember the telly pictures, and my mum crying. I can remember my uncles coming home early from Highouse and Barony pits, not laughing or joking, but quiet. And I remember being terrified of Highouse bing - the coal tip behind the pit, where we used to play for hours. It was months before any child went near it, even though it was stable and in no danger. Indeed, though the pit is gone, and most of that bing with it, a large area remains - right next to my church. It's greened over, and covered with trees, and there's a miners cross on the summit - That's two bits of pit prop girders welded together and planted at the top as a memorial to those who died at Highouse over the years. This afternoon, we're having a memorial service at the summit. I hope it's raining - the tears won't show as much.
