A BARNSLEY primary school have been celebrating their village’s mining history this month.

Pupils from The Ellis School, in Hemingfield, have been working alongside the Friends of Hemingfield Colliery for their latest project.

It’s supported by The National Lottery Heritage fund and has involved vital conservation works and over exciting activities at the colliery over the last four years.

Hemingfield Colliery, originally called Elsecar Low, was sunk at the direction of Earl Fitzwilliam in the 1840s. Once one of the most technologically advanced collieries in the world and part of the model village of Elsecar, it is now designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and is in community ownership.

Artist Fabric Lenny, also known as Paul Slater, spent two days at the school with council workers from Elsecar Heritage Centre.

During the project, the children discovered their coal mining heritage and created artwork inspired by it.

Emily Edwards, head teacher at the school, said: “Having Paul work with the children has been extremely positive for them.

“We look forward to celebrating our village’s heritage with the colliery long into the future.”

Paul added: “The art the children produced, responding to the history of the colliery and its biodiversity now, really was inspirational.”