In 1956 and 1957, Barnsley welcomed 200 Hungarian refugees following the crushed Hungarian revolution; they found work in the coal industry. We are commemorating this with a blue plaque.
The Hungarian Consul General Dr L Risko-Nagy unveiled the blue plaque at the Miners’ Hall in Victoria Road on Wednesday 23rd October at 2.00pm.
It was another great opportunity to visit the stunning Miners’ Hall!
Dr Andrew Zsigmond, one of the refugees, told us his story and how he was welcomed in Barnsley.
The Mayor of Barnsley John Clarke and the Area Chairman of the NUM, Chris Skidmore, welcomed our guests.
It was great to welcome some of the original 1956 refugees and their relatives to the event.
Thank you deeply to Barnsley Civic Trust for awarding a blue plaque to the Hungarian refugees. My father Laszlo Jakso, then 19 years old and alone was one of those who were welcomed, and became a coal miner as a pathway to British citizenship. He remains forever grateful to the warm welcome he received from the local people in Barnsley. My father lives in west London now and will be 88 next month. Are there planned reunions planned for the future.