Book Launch: ‘544m’ By Kevin Crooks | Open Eye Gallery

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Join the launch event of ‘544m’, a new publication by Kevin Crooks, dedicated to honoring the mining heritage and communities of St. Helens. Kevin Crooks, a talented photographer based in St. Helens, has spent 2023 documenting the stories of three former miners who worked at Bold, Sutton Manor, and Wood Pit collieries. This project was made possible through the generous funding of the St. Helens Borough of Culture Open Grants. The publication will showcase these miners' interviews, accompanied by captivating photographs capturing the essence of the collieries then and now. Following the miners' strikes in 1984-85, most collieries in St. Helens closed down and were repurposed as quarries or landfill sites. In the mid-1990s, they were transformed into recreational nature areas, providing enjoyment for both residents and visitors. Throughout the creation of this project, Kevin engaged in heartfelt conversations with the miners, delving into their memories of working at the collieries and the profound impact it had on their personal lives and communities. To enhance the presentation of Kevin's work, a selection of poems created by Helen Angell will be included alongside the photographs. The book will be published by 0.08Imprints and will be officially launched at the prestigious Open Eye Gallery in Liverpool on Thursday, November 30th, from 6 to 8 pm. This event is not to be missed for those interested in the rich mining history of St. Helens. Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend this poignant and thought-provoking occasion.