117th anniversary of the West Stanley Pit Disaster

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That this House commemorates the 117th anniversary of the West Stanley Pit Disaster of 1909 on 16 February 2026; remembers the 168 men and boys who died in the explosion and its aftermath, and the extraordinary bravery of those who risked their own lives to rescue others; acknowledges the scale of the disaster, which was the worst in the history of the Durham coalfield, and one of the worst coal mining disasters in British history; recognises the enduring impact of the disaster on generations of families in Stanley and the surrounding area; pays tribute to the community of Stanley, whose resilience, determination and courage shaped its response both then and since; and reaffirms its respect for the sacrifices made by miners and their families, which underpin County Durham’s history and identity.