Snibston Colliery Park will host a free exhibition for all the family of local mining heritage next month.

Local organisations with mining connections, will present displays of their research into coalmining history and communities.

Visitors can hear tales of the Victorian mining life told by reenactors in period costume, sing-along to rousing Chartist Hymns from the 1840s with the 'Chartist Singers', what life was like for a Victorian miner and join former miners for a tour of the 1970s Snibston Colliery pit top.

Heritage organisations from around the Leicestershire and South Derbyshire coalfield will be there.

These include South Derbyshire Mining Preservation Group, the Whitwick Historical Group, Measham Museum, and Coleorton Heritage Group amongst others.

The exhibition takes place on September 10, between 10.00am – 4.30pm.

Dr Terri Eynon, Chair of the Snibston Heritage Trust, said "This event has something for everyone. Whether from mining roots or a new resident to the area, we all enjoy finding out about our local heritage.

"Volunteers enjoy coming together to show off their collections and research into mining heritage.

"Storytellers and musicians enjoy bringing to life the struggles of working people in the mid-19th century.

"And of course there are the popular Snibston Colliery tour guides who tell their own real stories of life as coalminers during the 1970s and 80s."

This free exhibition of local mining history with displays by various local heritage groups is part of North West Leicestershire District Council's Hello Heritage Festival. Festival details can be found HERE.

Leicestershire County Council is providing the Studio at Snibston Colliery Park for the one-day event which is being organised by the Snibston Heritage Trust.

During the day there will be three guided tours of the Snibston Colliery buildings which include the control room, lamp room, medical centre, No. 2 pit top and winding house, and finish in the powder store where the colliery explosives were kept when it was a working coal mine - (It is no longer possible to go underground.)

Tours begin at 11.00am, 12.45 pm and 2.30 pm, take around one and a half hours, and cost £3 for adults with children under 16 free.

Tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite HERE. Tickets may also be available on the day. The tour involves some steps and comfortable shoes are recommended.

Snibston Colliery Park is a free day out for all the family with children's playground, mountain bike trail and country park.

There is car parking at Snibston Colliery Park, with e-vehicle charging points, and a café serving a selection of hot and cold drinks, snacks, lunches and ices.

For further information contact Stuart Warburton, Secretary Snibston Heritage Trust on 01530 833521 or email [email protected].