Memories of the Coal Queens

26/04/2010 The next special exhibition at the National Coal Mining Museum for England is called ‘Memories of the Coal Queens’ and is based on Coal Queen competitions, which were at their height between the early 1960s and mid 1980s. The exhibition opens on Monday 17 May and will run for nineteen weeks.

The competitions started as local colliery contests and a miner’s daughter or wife would be crowned as queen. These colliery winners would then go on to compete for the regional title at the county’s Miners’ Gala, similar to the gala the Museum holds annually.

In 1969 the competition became a national event. Between 1969 and 1983 the National Coal Board, supported by Coal News, ran the Coal Queen of Britain competition, where regional winners competed for the national title. Winners won a range of prizes, from holidays to clothes and money, and went on to represent the National Coal Board at various events during their reign.

For this special exhibition the Museum has talked with many ex-Coal Queens, from Yorkshire to Cumbria, and Nottinghamshire to Northumberland. We take a look at the memories and experiences of some competitors and share their stories. In an industry where King Coal reigned, it was women who took centre stage as the Coal Queens.

Rosemary Preece, Curatorial Director said, “Our new exhibition will be a real eye opener. You can see what the Coal Queens wore to win their prizes and hear their memories of a whirlwind year.”

The special exhibition will run from 17 May until 26 September, free admission into the exhibition and to the Museum.


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