A statue honouring miners who worked in the Great Laxey Mine is to be unveiled on Saturday May 23rd in the Heritage Garden at Mines Road, Laxey.

The ceremony will also celebrate the completion of Laxey village’s Regeneration Scheme.

The statue is the work of Balinese master stone artist Ongky Wijana who has carved the piece in Banjar Silakarang, where he lives with his Manx-born wife Hannah, who is from Peel, daughter Lola, seven and son Marlow, two.

The work has been funded by Laxey resident and benefactor Phillis Tate who died in 2012 aged 97. A trustee of her estate, Ivor Hankinson, is coordinating the project. He said: ‘Mrs Tate took a great interest in the village and its heritage – a donation from her estate part-funded the recently opened extension to the Laxey Working Men’s Institute - so she was saddened when the wooden statue of a miner, which this one in stone is to replace, fell into disrepair and had to be removed in 2008.’

The stone for the statue is Carlow Blue limestone, suggested by Ongky’s father-in-law Steve Black and sourced in Southern Ireland. Mr Hankinson said: ‘We had the stone - a block weighing around four tonnes - shipped to the Island so Ongky could carve the statue here. Work permit and visa issues, however, meant this wasn’t possible so we shipped the block out to him in Bali.’

Ongky said: ‘When the enormous block of stone arrived it seemed like an impossible task was ahead of me. This was definitely the hardest stone I’ve ever carved, but I worked out the best way to deal with it as I went along and the shape soon started to emerge from the block. It was tough work and has taken in total about 10 months, but I’m extremely proud of what I’ve been able to create.’

Completed at the end of 2014 the statue was shipped from Indonesia and arrived in the Island in early April.

Waiting for the stone to arrive in Bali gave Ongky the opportunity to prepare for the project. ‘During that time I was researching the miners of Laxey and other towns in the UK to get a feel for what life was like for them and how the gruelling work they were doing affected their appearance.

‘These guys were tough but often looked weather-beaten, sunken-cheeked and worn out. However, they also had a solidity to them and always a determination in their eyes that I wanted to capture. I also wanted to make sure their clothes and tools were as accurate as possible.

‘It’s amazing to me that this sculpture I made will be seen by so many people over many years to come and, most importantly, make people think about and give thanks to the miners who were so important to the growth of Laxey and the whole of the Isle of Man.’

The statue will sit on a granite plinth with four Welsh slate panels, also carved by Ongky, depicting the arduous conditions the miners endured. Combined, the statue and plinth will stand some four metres (13 ft) high.

Hannah Black Wijana has followed the creation of the sculpture from its inception. ‘I may be biased, being the wife of one, but I believe Balinese stone carvers are some of the most talented in the world. Their skill has been passed through many generations.

‘Before I met Ongky I had never given a thought to the work that stone carvers create or how they create it, but now, after seven years watching him magically craft elaborate creations out of chunks of rock, I can appreciate what it really takes to bring them into being. The skill of carving is nothing short of astounding and the most talented Balinese carvers are able to “see” the finished product before they even touch chisel to stone. Ongky has often said he gives thanks to God for giving him stone to carve and feels as if he is giving the stone a new purpose.’

Laxey is already home to a work by the Balinese master craftsman, after he was commissioned in 2010 to create a statue of a miner in Peel sandstone for the Laxey Working Men’s Institute.

Leading the organising committee is Laxey and Lonan Heritage Trust director Steve Rodan SHK, who is also the chairman of the Laxey Regeneration Committee. He said: ‘May 23rd promises to be a memorable day in the history of our village. The unveiling ceremony will be very much a community event, with the Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums leading a parade from the new village square of children from Laxey School in costumes from the mining era, and of course we’re delighted that Ongky will be in Laxey that day to unveil the statue and share in our celebrations.’

Mr Rodan added that a commemorative plaque honouring the 35 miners who lost their lives in the Great Laxey Mine between 1831 and 1912 would be unveiled at the ceremony by the Lieutenant Governor Mr Adam Wood, who would be joined by Anne Bennett, the great granddaughter of Captain John Kewley who led the rescue efforts during the Snaefell Mine disaster of 1897 when 20 miners died.

He continued: ‘This project is being enthusiastically supported by Laxey Commissioners and the Isle of Man Government, notably the Department of Infrastructure, and for this we are most grateful.

‘The statue and plinth are set on a terrace enclosed in Manx stone, the work of local stone masons Tony Bridson and Howard Kneale. The site will serve as a symbol of Laxey’s completed Regeneration Scheme, which has seen the refurbishing of Laxey Station and the adjacent Rose Gardens and the creation of a new village square finished in high-quality limestone and granite paving. This will connect the village centre to the Heritage Garden and new coach park and create a more attractive and accessible route for pedestrians.’

Laxey Commissioners’ chairman Andrew Moore said: ‘The Commissioners have been fully supportive of the project from day one. The statue is a magnificent piece of art and one of the first things visitors to the village will see. The work will occupy a flagship location in the Heritage Garden - itself a project very much a partnership between Laxey Commissioners and government, specifically the Department of Infrastructure - so it amply complements the village’s Regeneration Scheme.

‘The statue will serve as a tribute to those who worked in the mines – and sadly also to those who lost their lives there – many of whose descendants still live in the village, while the Heritage Garden will provide a fitting setting in which to reflect on those brave miners who contributed so much to the worldwide reputation of our village.’

Mr Rodan said: ‘With this statue Ongky has captured the indomitable spirit of the village’s mining community and it is a powerful reminder of Laxey’s industrial heritage.

‘There is also an undeniable element of romance about this project in that it has touched communities in two very different parts of the world but which are now linked through the generosity of our benefactor, Phillis Tate, and the truly outstanding creative talent of Ongky Wijana.’

Photo - Stone artist Ongky Wijana and a detail from the statue.