90th Anniversary

of the Levant Disaster

This year sees the 90^th Anniversary of the tragic collapse of the man engine at Levant Mine which occurred on the afternoon of Monday 20^th October 1919. A total of 31 local men lost their lives, and many more were left injured and traumatised by the terrible sequence of events that took place. The toll on the community here in West Penwith was immense.

The National Trust at Levant, and the St Just & District Trust have organised a simple multi-denominational memorial service to take place on 'the dry' at Levant mine on Tuesday 20th October at 2.00pm. Local school children will be taking part, and music will be provided by the Cape Singers. All are welcome to attend, but please note there will be no cover, and if the weather is too severe the service may have to be cancelled at short notice.

The community art project

‘90 Years ~ 90 Artists’ is also coming to a climax with the exhibition of the completed 90 canvases. Entrance to the exhibition is free, and details are shown in the poster opposite. 

Many well know local artists have taken part including David Andrew, Noel Betowski, Chris Billington, Phil Booth, Colin Caffell, Anthony Frost, Rich Guy, Gabrielle Hawkes, Rose Hilton, Sue Lewington, Seth Marshall, Maggie Matthews, Eric Pentecost, Jeff Powell, Tom Rickman, Nicholas Smith, Tom Henderson Smith, Mick Stallworthy, and many others.

The project is being co-ordinated by Delia Webb, Community Development Officer for Cornwall Council’s Localism Service, and anyone who would like to be involved can contact her on 01736 336736  or email delia.webb@cornwall.gov.uk  

On Friday 30th October, at the close of the exhibition there will be a grand draw with the 90 canvases forming 90 individual prizes. The draw will be made by Luke Murley, a pupil from St Just Primary School who is the great great grandson of William John Murley, one of the 31 miners who tragically died in the man engine collapse. This draw will take place at Botallack Count House between 4.00-6.00pm, and free refreshments are being provided courtesy of St Just Town Council. Tickets for the prize draw are being sold throughout August, September and October priced £1 each in books of 5 tickets. To obtain tickets please come along to the exhibition or contact either the St Just & District Trust (secretary 07917 196069) or The National Trust Levant ( 01736 788588).

 Below is a list of the brave miners who lost their lives in the tragic collapse of the man engine at Levant Mine, on

 Monday 20th October 1919:-