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Chamber and committees

61st Anniversary of the Auchengeich Mining Disaster

  • Submitted by: Fulton MacGregor, Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party.
  • Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 September 2020
  • Motion reference: S5M-22677

That the Parliament notes that 18 September 2020 is the 61st anniversary of the Auchengeich mining disaster, which has been subsequently acknowledged as the one of the worst mining accidents in Scotland's history; remembers with great respect the 47 men who went to work that morning, never to return home to their families and loved ones; understands that lives were lost after a fire started deep in the mine caused by a fault with equipment; commends the extensive rescue efforts by the local community and teams from other local mines, which were sadly in vain; acknowledges the devastation caused by this disaster and the legacy of grief and loss for the victims' loved ones; further acknowledges the shock and sorrow of laying to rest all 47 men, the youngest of whom was 22 and the eldest, 62; remembers that this tragedy left 67 children without their father, made widows of 41 women and left the community devastated; notes with gratitude that the Auchengeich Memorial Committee continues to keep the miners in living memory by arranging a service every year at the memorial statue at the Auchengeich Miners Club in Moodiesburn; acknowledges that the ongoing public health emergency has meant that this memorial service has been cancelled this year, but notes that a prayer and a blessing will take place on 13 September after a wreath is laid by the Memorial Committee. 


Supported by: Clare Adamson, Tom Arthur, Claire Baker, Michelle Ballantyne, Miles Briggs, Angela Constance, Bob Doris, Annabelle Ewing, Mary Fee, Neil Findlay, Iain Gray, James Kelly, Bill Kidd, Johann Lamont, Monica Lennon, Richard Lyle, Lewis Macdonald, Rona Mackay, Ruth Maguire, Gillian Martin, John Mason, Joan McAlpine, Liam McArthur, Mark McDonald, Stuart McMillan, Margaret Mitchell, Alex Neil, Alex Rowley, Anas Sarwar, Elaine Smith, Colin Smyth, Stewart Stevenson, David Torrance, Sandra White, Andy Wightman