The rich history of the mining communities in Ollerton, Edwinstowe, and Bilsthorpe is being celebrated in a unique travelling heritage exhibition.

Mining For Stories offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, featuring interviews with ex-miners and members of the mining community, providing an authentic narrative of Newark and Sherwood’s industrial heritage.

A collection of photographs from the extensive museum archive will be showcased, alongside a community crafted artwork that was created during an Our Heritage Textile Photograph workshop in Edwinstowe Library.

This artwork is a collaborative effort with the Knit and Natter group and people from the surrounding area.

Mining For Stories delves into the era of mining in the 1980s, a significant period for the local communities, and will tour up to three district venues, beginning at Bilsthorpe Heritage Museum from Wednesday, 27th November  until Monday, 13th January. It will then move to Edwinstowe Library, where it will be on display from Tuesday, 14th January to Saturday, 22nd February.

Cris Cooper, manager of Bilsthorpe Heritage Museum, said: “It has been great working on Newark and Sherwood’s Mining For Stories project. Our volunteers feel that their hard work looking after our collection is being appreciated and valued. It has been a huge boost to morale.”

Volunteers have played a crucial role in bringing this exhibition to life, sharing their time and stories. A consultation provided curators with additional information about the images in the collection, leading to the identification of previously unknown individuals and locations in photographs.

Coun Rowan Cozens, deputy leader and portfolio holder for Heritage, Culture and the Arts at Newark and Sherwood District Council, expressed her enthusiasm for the exhibition, stating: “Mining For Stories is a remarkable tribute to the resilience and camaraderie of our mining communities.

“It’s a celebration of our shared heritage and an opportunity for residents and visitors alike to engage with the stories that have shaped our district.

“The programme aims to increase creative opportunities for young people and under-served groups, establishing a cultural focal point across Newark and Sherwood.”

Mining For Stories is part of Open Doors, a three-year programme of events organised by Newark and Sherwood District Council and funded by Arts Council England.

Rowan added: “We are proud to support this exhibition and the Open Doors programme, which continues to enrich the cultural landscape of Newark and Sherwood.

“This exhibition stands as a powerful tribute to the lasting impact of the mining communities and their profound role in shaping the region’s history.

“It offers visitors a chance to journey back in time and immerse themselves in the narratives that influenced the lives of so many in Newark and Sherwood.”

To find out more about what Open Doors has on offer, go to www.palacenewark.com/opendoors/upcoming-events