67th anniversary of the Auchengeich Colliery Disaster

Motion Text

That this House acknowledges that 18 September 2026 marks the 67th anniversary of the Auchengeich colliery disaster; respectfully remembers the 47 men who perished in a fire caused by faulty equipment in the mine; recognises that 41 women were widowed, 76 children lost their fathers and countless family members and friends were impacted by the tragedy; understands that this was Scotland’s worst mining disaster of the 20th century and that the grief continues to this day in Moodiesburn, surrounding villages, across Lanarkshire and beyond; commends the Auchengeich Miners Memorial Committee for organising its annual service on Sunday 13 September 2026 to continue to honour the memory of those who died; further recognises the work of Hugh Gaffney in memorialising each of the victims not just as miners, but as the people they were; pays tribute to the resilience, courage and spirit shown by the local community; and also recognises the tremendous sacrifices made by miners and their families.