SALT workers in Northwich and Winsford are being urged to come forward to ensure their unique and personal insights into the industry aren’t lost forever.

Funded by the National Lottery, Mining for Memories will see artists collaborating with miners and other salt workers to gather memories through recorded interview sessions.

Cheshire Archives, who are leading the project, hope it will add a different dimension to their current collection of material on what historically was one of the county’s most important industries.

Cheshire West and Chester Council leader, Cllr Louise Gittins, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to add to the history of Northwich and Winsford for future generations.

“Salt mining has played a huge role in the area’s growth, but the industry has seen a lot of changes. 

“We want to talk to the people who have worked extracting it, processing it, and transporting it, and seen these changes first hand.

It is hope the project will add a more personal dimension to Cheshire Archive's mining collectionIt is hope the project will add a more personal dimension to Cheshire Archive's mining collection (Image: Newsquest)

“We are keen to interview salt mine workers, both past and present, who would like to share their memories of working and social life, and of what salt means to them. “

Project leaders are also putting on an exhibition of artefacts relating to salt mining at two pop-up events, which will double-up as recording sessions for miners' memories.

These will take place between 11am and 1pm at Winsford Library on Saturday, September 28, and at the same times at Wharton Library on Saturday, October 5.  

Co-ordinators hope to shed some light on many changed in the industry over the yearsCo-ordinators hope to shed some light on many changed in the industry over the years (Image: Newsquest)

Everyone is welcome to attend the exhibitions, but those who want to record their memories are asked to book a time slot in advance, either by calling 01244 972574, or emailing recordoffice@cheshiresharedservices.gov.uk.

Cllr Gittins added: “We already have some fantastic items in our collection showing the significance salt mining has had in this area.

“However, we would like to show how things have changed over the years while capturing people’s voices, shared memories, stories, and community responses to the history of the salt mining and its impact in this part of the borough."

For more information, visit Mining for Memories at Cheshire Archive's website.