The 7ft high black granite tribute will be unveiled at a town centre ceremony on Saturday, August 23, at 12.30pm.

Since the Advertiser broke the news of the Fountain Green memorial, the families and friends of six more men killed at the pit have contacted the paper with their stories.

Last week the Advertiser reported that Jane McLean had phoned from Canada about her father, John (Jackie) McLean, a master sinker, who, in 1957, was the first man to be killed, while preparing the shafts before the colliery was officially opened.

Accuracy ensured

The miners' memorial has been a labour of love for Rab Brough, secretary of Loanhead and District Retired Miners' Branch of the NUM.

Although he first came up with the idea for the tribute six years ago, he has worked in earnest over the past two years to see his plans become reality.

Mr Brough (60), a faceman who worked at Bilston Glen from 1965 until it closed in 1989, has been fastidious in his research. "I have triple checked with Register House to ensure the accuracy of the dates and even checked the gravestones," he explained.

The £9,700 memorial, which also recognises the men killed at other mining accidents in the Loanhead area, has been created by Robertson Memorials, Motherwell.

On one side it will feature the names of the 15 men killed and on the other side will be the words to the miners' song Let There Be Light.

Wreaths will be laid at the memorial and speakers at the ceremony will include NUM representative Alex Bennett, Scotland area NUM president Nicky Wilson and Midlothian councillor Owen Thompson.

For full story, see The Advertiser, August 7, 2008