The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Communities to mark Michael Colliery disaster 50 years on.
Community will remember nine men who died in underground fire at Michael Colliery
The 50th anniversary of one of Scotland’s worst mining disasters is to be commemorated this weekend.
Communities will gather on Friday and Saturday to remember the nine men who lost their lives in an underground fire at the Michael Colliery on September 9, 1967.
Three of them remain entombed below ground after becoming trapped.
Tributes will also be paid to the heroic rescuers who voluntarily went into “the gates of hell” at the East Wemyss pit to save dozens of other workers.
The blaze, which closed the mine for good and led to more than 2,000 redundancies, is still vividly remembered in the Wemyss villages and beyond and some of those involved in the disaster will be present on Saturday.
Members of Fife Mining Preservation Society have worked tirelessly for several months to ensure there is a fitting memorial.
Duncan Gilfillan said: “One man got back to the pit bath then realised his mate wasn’t there.
“He walked back 500 yards without apparatus and brought him back on his back.
“These were common, working men who were absolute heroes. That’s what we’re commemorating.”
He added: “One person said it was like looking into the gates of hell.”
The anniversary will be marked with two key events.
The first on Friday will involve 50 pupils from Levenmouth Academy, as well as some children from East Wemyss and Coaltown of Wemyss primaries.
They will walk to the memorial on East Wemyss High Road, close to where Michael Colliery once stood, where the Rev Wilma Cairns will lead a service.
A larger turnout is expected on Saturday when a minute’s silence at 11am will be followed by a service of dedication and speeches by Fife Provost Jim Leishman and Lord Lieutenant Robert Balfour.
Nicky Wilson, president of the National Union of Mineworkers, will also speak.
Wreaths will be laid before a procession to the site of the Michael Pit head.
Elizabeth McGuire from the Mining Preservation Society said anyone who wished to take part on Saturday would be welcome.
Those attending should park at East Wemyss Primary and a minibus will take them to the memorial for 10.45am.
These were common, working men who were absolute heroes. DUNCAN GILFILLAN