RESIDENTS and MPs from across Barnsley came together to lay a wreath in memory of two miners who lost their lives on the picket lines.

David Jones died on March 15, 1984 aged 24 and Joe Green was also killed on the picket line on June 15, 1984 aged 55.

Ex-miners came together at the NUM building on Huddersfield Road on Saturday to pay their respects, while also marking the start of the 1984-85 miners’ strike.

Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis said: “As we mark the 40th anniversary of the miners’ strike, it was an honour to lay a wreath at the NUM headquarters to commemorate Davy Jones and Joe Green.

“This year of all years, we should remember that it wasn’t just coal that came out of coal mines and reflect on the contribution miners made to our community and pay tribute to the sacrifices they made.”

Wentworth and Dearne MP John Healey added: “It was an honour to lay a wreath to commemorate Davy Jones and Joe Green, two miners killed during the 1984/85 strikes, at the NUM headquarters in Barnsley.

“This year we mark the 40th anniversary of the miners’ strike.

“I have a large framed poster on the wall of my constituency office in Wath-upon-Dearne.

“It displays the names and badges of each British coalmine closed by the Tories after the miners’ strike up until 1994 when the last pit in our constituency closed at Silverwood.

“A total of 203 - 64 in Yorkshire alone.

“This was a chance to honour those who gave their lives for the nation in our coalfields and remember the dedication of miners in our communities.”