Colliery Disaster Memorial 90 Metres West Of Church Of St Helen

The colliery disaster memorial, located 90 metres west of the Church of St. Helen in Kelloe, was erected in 1882 by C. Ryder and Sons of Bishop Auckland. This Gothic Revival style memorial is made of sandstone and stands approximately 6.0 metres tall. It features a square-plan pedestal topped with a spire that has a cross. The pedestal has a tall two-step base that bears the sculptor's name, while the die has a roll-moulded plinth with a semicircular panel on the east side inscribed: "ERECTED BY THEIR FELLOW WORKMEN AND FRIENDS AS A TOKEN OF THEIR SINCERE RESPECT." Each face of the die has recessed pointed-arched panels framed by grey marble angle colonnettes. The eastern panel is inscribed: "IN MEMORY OF THE 74 MEN AND BOYS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES BY THE EXPLOSION AT TRIMDON GRANGE COLLIERY, THURSDAY FEB. 10 1882. THE FOLLOWING 26 OF WHOM ARE HERE INTERRED," with the other panels listing the names and ages of the 26 victims. The die is capped with a heavy roll-moulded cap. The octagonal-plan spire features sunk panels with blind tracery and is topped by a bulky stone cross. The spire sits on a square-plan base adorned with narrative reliefs on each face depicting: 1. a miner holding a safety lamp on his way to work; 2. an injured miner being rescued; 3. a miner's widow and child kneeling by a headstone; and 4. clasped hands symbolizing comradeship. The corners between each panel are cut back and include foliage carvings.