Trade unionists and their families jumped at the chance to don their hardhats & Davy Lamps and head off down the mine; courtesy of an all inclusive trip arranged by Derby Trade Union Education Centre.

This trip to the National Coal Mining Museum (Wakefield) was arranged by Phil Ditheridge at Derby as part of the Octobers’ “Learning Revolution” to arrange and promote informal learning activities was funded by money distributed by unionlearn from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills.

Trade union members from Unite, Unison, UCATT and a retired GMB member made up the 11 adults and 6 children on the trip which set off by coach from the Centre at the Colleges’ Prince Charles Avenue Campus (Mackworth) to the Museum at Wakefield where an interactive day and lunch awaited.The aims of the visit were to -

 

• Provide an educational visit for families during the school half term holiday who would struggle to provide for themselves.

• Gain an understanding of our mining heritage

• Engage in discussions with on site speakers

• Engage in family learning activities

• Offer advice and information on further learning opportunities

The visit gave an insight and a valuable lesson in the historic past of mine working in the UK with all of those attending having a family member who once worked in the Midlands in this once thriving industry.

All of the people attending had a fulfilling day out and Unison member Christine Gdula said in an email after the event:

“Thank you for the trip to the museum, we all had a wonderful time.  The two boys still mention the trip down the pit and that was the best bit of it all”

"I just wanted to express my thanks for the lovely trip to the Coal  Mining Museum last Thursday. Myself and my two daughters had a really great time. Thanks again"stated Wendy in an email received.