STILL THE SEA ROLLS ON
THE HARTLEY PIT CALAMITY OF 1862:
a commemoration in words and images to mark its 150th anniversary
The Hartley Pit Calamity of 1862 was the first large scale mining disaster of Victorian times. The extent of the Calamity, together with the spreading of news by rail and telegraph, brought this tragic event in rural Northumberland into the homes of families throughout the land on a daily basis.
The reaction from the public, together with the interest shown by Queen Victoria, kept the story in the press for more than a month. Just as evidenced in 2010 in the Chilean mine rescue, the public were gripped by the horror of men trapped underground and the heroic efforts made to rescue them.
This new book from Northern Voices Community Projects, compiled and edited by Dr Keith Armstrong and Peter Dixon and commissioned by North Tyneside Council, has been published to mark the 150th anniversary of the Calamity. With historical documents and images, alongside poems, songs, stories, photographs and drawings by local people, it forms part of a series of events and activities intended to ensure that the story of Hartley is not forgotten.
COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM:
NORTHERN VOICES COMMUNITY PROJECTS, 93 WOODBURN SQUARE,WHITLEY BAY, TYNE & WEAR NE26 3JD TEL 0191 2529531
EMAIL k.armstrong643@btinternet.com
PRICE £7.99 (ADD £2 POSTAGE)
ISBN 978-1-871536-20-1
FIGHT TO THE FINISH
GORDON MACPHERSON
(1928-1999)
The life, poems and stories of an East Durham Miner
This is a moving and passionate account of one man’s extraordinary battle against adversity to raise a family in an East Durham pit village.
Gordon MacPherson's poetry and writing sums up the arduous working conditions that miners struggle under and his own personal battle with emphysema in later life.
Gordon was an ordinary miner who did great things. This book glows with love and human decency against all the odds.
It shows us the power of community and serves as an example for the future of this area of North East England and beyond.
A MESSAGE FROM GRAHAME MORRIS, M.P. FOR EASINGTON
It was an honour to know Gordon MacPherson. He is an inspiration; a man committed to his community, family and with a deep love of the area where he was brought up. I am proud to have known Gordon and he was a friend and an inspiration.
This very personal, moving and evocative account of one man’s extraordinary battle against adversity to raise a family in an East Durham pit village in many ways typifies past working class struggles.
Order from: Northern Voices Community Projects, 93 Woodburn Square, Whitley Lodge, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear NE26 3JD tel. 0191 2529531 or: Heather Wood, 8 Comet Drive, Easington, County Durham SR8 3EP tel. 0191 5270371.
ISBN 978-1-871536-15-4 PRICE £5 (add £2.50 postage)
