PDMHS member Shirley Burtonshaw recently came across a reference to a “Traditional Miners’ Holiday,” when Derbyshire lead miners would celebrate by decorating their coes with garlands and sharing a communal meal, accompanied by bands, singing, and their own songs. Coal miners’ gala days are still well known, Derbyshire is famous for its well-dressings, and May Day is marked across the country – but the Lead Miners’ holiday itself seems to have been largely forgotten. The PDMHS committee warmly welcomed the suggestion that we should try to revive this tradition.

On Sunday 24 May 2026, we will hold our first “T’Owd Man’s Day Out” at Magpie Mine, bringing this old custom back to life in a modern way. Plans are still being finalised, but we intend to decorate the headstocks and/or stows and hold a traditional-style blessing – a kind of “lead miners’ wassail”. There will be guided tours of the site focusing on the history of the mine, and a local specialist will lead walks looking at the flora, which should be at its best at that time of year.

Live music will be provided by Cage of Crows, with music and dancing from T’Owd Man Border Morris. There will also be archaeological and mining history displays by PDMHS, WMRG (Wirksworth Mines Research Group), Goodluck Mine and possibly other groups, and light refreshments will be available throughout the day.

The event will run from 11:00am to 4:00pm, will be free to attend, and is open to everyone.

(Reference: R. Slack, “Lead Miners’ hey-day”, 2000.)
Shirley Burtonshaw & team