Miner’s Heroic Rescue of Pit Pony

The bravery of teenage miner John Willie Bell, who risked his life to save his pit pony during a mining accident, is the focus of a new exhibition at Wentworth Woodhouse.

During a roof fall at his pit in Elsecar, while uninjured miners fled, John ran back to find his pony. When a rescue team eventually found them, he said, “I knew you would dig for a man, but not for a pony.”

Thanks to his grandchildren, Steve Hardy and Val Noble, his story will be featured at Wentworth’s Coal Story Exhibition from July 9 to October 6. They responded to an appeal for stories and mementoes for the exhibition, which explores the stately home’s 200-year coal-mining history.

Seventeen-year-old John Willie’s actions and the silver Fitzwilliam Medal for Kindness, awarded by Countess Maud Fitzwilliam in 1904, will be showcased among various mining memorabilia. The medal, which has remained in the family, first gained attention when Val took it to a BBC Antiques Roadshow in 2013.

Following the TV appearance, their cousin Joy recalled John’s story of protecting his pony, Flo, during the accident and later buying her for a penny from Earl Fitzwilliam. Flo lived the rest of her life in John’s garden.

To book tickets for the exhibition, visit https://wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk/whats-on/wentworths-coal-story/

NorthernLife Sep/Oct/Nov 24