'The End of an Era' was unveiled near the Beacon, as a memorial to the town's mining history.
 
It is a unique mix of coal, slate and casting resin, and features a pillar of coal with four figures – a deputy overman, representing mine management; a mines brigadesman, representing safety and rescue work; a coal face worker, showing manpower; and a screenlass, to illustrate hardship and poverty.
 
Standing for 15 years the memorial still proves to be an influential tourist attraction for many. Yet plans for a new development will see this iconic statue moved so it does not impede on the new development proposal. We feel moving the monument would pose a unacceptable risk to its structural integrity and could ultimately lead to the structure being irrepairably damaged and we feel the risk outweighs the need for movement. The traditional skills used to craft this are among many dying out so repair would be incredibly difficult costly and time-consuming.
 
We thank you for your support.