Luke Myer MP is leading efforts to secure national recognition for the Land of Iron (Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum) in Skinningrove, a vital institution preserving the industrial heritage of the North East. Following a visit to the museum, Luke raised the issue in Parliament with Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism, during a question session.
He described the museum as a fantastic tourist asset, stating:
“The coastal village of Skinningrove is home to a fantastic tourist asset, Land of Iron, which is the leading ironstone mining museum in the country. I am campaigning for it to receive national status as the national ironstone mining museum. Will Ministers consider meeting me to discuss that request, and would they like to visit?”
In response, Chris Bryant acknowledged the importance of mining heritage, saying:
“My hon. Friend challenges me a bit. The Rhondda has the best mining museum in the UK, but I am prepared to concede that in England he might be right. But there is an important point: our mining heritage is part of understanding the country that we have been, and the country that we can be in future. I am very happy to meet my hon. Friend. Arts Council England has a specific way of giving a national name to museums, and that is one thing that he might want to apply to it for.”
The Land of Iron, located on the historic Loftus Mine site in Skinningrove, is a cornerstone of the region’s cultural and educational landscape. Since its founding in 1978, it has preserved the rich history of ironstone mining that fuelled Britain’s industrial growth, while also engaging local schools, community groups and visitors through its exhibitions and programmes.
Luke has praised the museum’s remarkable progress, including the opening of a new state-of-the-art building last year, which has enhanced its capacity to deliver educational outreach and tell the stories of the miners and their communities. Under the leadership of Chief Executive Marie Woods, a qualified archaeologist, the museum has embraced innovation, expanding its work into social care settings and forming new partnerships.
Luke’s campaign for national recognition would help secure the museum’s long-term future, bringing greater visibility and unlocking opportunities for funding and growth. He is also backing the museum’s resilience funding bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which would provide vital resources to expand exhibitions, preserve collections, and deepen its community impact.
This campaign highlights Luke’s commitment to supporting institutions that celebrate and preserve the North East’s cultural and industrial heritage. By securing national status, Luke hopes the Land of Iron will gain the recognition it deserves, ensuring that the stories of Britain’s ironstone mining past continue to inspire future generations.
Reference
Land of Iron Visit