The 'oldest' miner and his heroic actions are being celebrated in a new project in Wigan

A heroic miner who spent seven decades working in a Wigan pit is the focus of a project set to inspire a new generation.

William Crook started work at Crawford Pit in Aspull when he was just six years old.

He was celebrated as the oldest living miner in 1910 when, well into his 70s, he ran the length of the mine after the ventilation fan failed and saved the lives of 20 miners.

He was hailed in the village as “Old Hero” and was buried at Blackrod Cemetery.

Now, Mr Crook’s story will be brought to life in a project launched by the Friends of Wall Hey Air Shaft after they secured £20,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Group member Neil West said: “We are interested in mining heritage and happened to come across the story of William Crook. It was in an old magazine article that I happened to pick up on eBay by chance, just that one page. The chances of it coming to light were pretty slim.

“We thought it was nice to have a local hero. We are already trying to develop social history and bring history to life through real people. Often working-class people aren’t recorded in the same way as other people and it’s nice to have someone who was written about and recognised for his achievements.”

The project, named Heroes Old and Heroes New Too, will be launched on Saturday, October 24 at Aspull All Aglow - an event being held from 6pm to 8pm at The One House community centre where colourful installations light up the dark night, which the Friends are supporting with their funding.

There will be an appearance by “Mr Crook”, played by local actor Simon Sullivan, and a mine-themed installation by artist Mark Gilbert.

In the second half of the autumn term, the Friends will hold workshops in five primary schools to teach year five pupils about local mining heritage and the achievements of Mr Crook, as well as to develop their understanding of character strengths and the power of kindness.

Singer/songwriter Corrie Shelley, from Leigh, will lead a workshop where children will write a song celebrating the life and actions of Mr Crook.

She will return to each school with a portable recording studio and record the children’s songs professionally so they can be made available online.

The project also includes plans for a statue of Mr Crook, which is being designed by Mark Gilbert with input from children and will be placed in the Incredible Edible plot on Haigh Road.

A design concept for the statue sees Mr Crook surrounded by rock and emerging with a lantern, which will be solar powered and a symbol of hope, lighting the way out of the darkness.

There has also been an application for a blue plaque to be installed at The One House in tribute to Mr Crook. It is thought it could be the first plaque to honour a miner in the area for their achievements.

Mr West said: “This is keeping his memory alive and recognising that the qualities he had are still around - people can still be heroes in their own lives today in small ways, by the way we look after each other and building a kind and caring community for everybody.”