A powerful musical drama created by County Durham based Golightly Theatre Company is coming to the North East.
Set in North East England during the late 70’s to 80’s, ‘Coal Faces’ follows a family’s trials and tribulations, as they discover the lengths we go to for family. Trimdon based Writer/Director Andrew Golightly interviewed elderly relatives about growing up and working around a dying mining industry.
“We believe that this production will deeply resonate with local communities. The story and issues that are tackled are as relevant now as they were in the 80’s when the play is set. We confront issues of alcoholism and prejudice with love, tragedy and laughter, and just the sheer bloody-mindedness that got people through it.”
“We have been fortunate in getting Arts Council funding to make this production a reality and have utilised so many local people and companies. ‘Coal Faces’ is a small scale production that has professional seasoned actors working alongside local people treading the boards for the first time.”
“We would love to have your support in getting this story heard and thank you for your continued support of local live theatre. We hope to see you in the audience when the curtain goes up!”
27 October, Trimdon Station Community Centre.
28 October, The Greenhills Centre, Wheatley Hill
29 October, Bishop Auckland Town Hall Theatre
30 October, The Glebe Centre, Murton.
31 October, Coxhoe Community Centre.
For more information find ‘Coal Face’ on a facebook page and for booking links go to the official website>>>
Black Market Clash are researching the full story and would love to hear from anyone who remembers the controversy, bought tickets, worked at City Hall, or was involved in the discussions.
Black Market Clash website is a comprehensive archive of The Clash on stage, in the studio, on film with links to rare recordings. The site also includes fans memories of seeing the band.
Life long Clash fan Graham Jones from BMC explains…‘I’m based in Accrington, Lancashire, and yes, you could certainly describe me as a lifelong Clash fan, going right back to 1977.’
‘I was only young then and couldn’t really get to concerts. Public transport was a major problem, particularly as there was no evening bus back from Manchester. By the time I was old enough and able to travel more independently, around 1981, The Clash weren’t coming anywhere near us.’
‘One thing I remember vividly was our local record shop. They weren’t bothered by all the negative publicity surrounding punk and stocked everything, including the Sex Pistols original EMI single, ‘Anarchy in the UK’ which was openly displayed. We used to hang around the shop, looking at records and soaking up everything that was happening.’
‘Despite being a fan since 1977, I didn’t finally get to see The Clash live until 1984, when I managed to see them twice. That early fascination eventually developed into Black Market Clash, which I’ve spent many years building into a detailed historical archive of their concerts.’
On Sunday 5 December 1976, The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Damned and Johnny Thunders’ Heartbreakers were due to play Newcastle City Hall as part of the infamous Anarchy Tour.
Graham adds…‘The concert was cancelled following a dispute involving Newcastle City Council, City Hall management and the promoters. I’m particularly interested in the exchanges between City Hall manager Bob Brown, Councillor Arthur Stabler and promoters Endale Associates.’
‘The newspapers provide a fascinating account, but I’m hoping someone can fill in the gaps with firsthand memories. Original photographs, posters, tickets, correspondence and newspaper material are welcome.’
This year is the 90th anniversary of the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. Head of the Volunteer for Liberty group Tony Fox, talks about a commemoration event to be held in Sunderland.
‘The Volunteers for Liberty (VFL) remember the 120 International Brigade volunteers from our region, especially the 33 volunteers who lost their lives defending democracy in Spain.’
‘It is apt to be holding a commemoration in Sunderland’s Holy Trinity Church on 1st November 2026 because some of Sunderland’s seafarers and dock workers played a significant role in the Spanish Civil War and the church overlooks the docks.’
Tony explained ‘We also remember the seafarers from our region who risked their lives to take supplies to and evacuate refugees out of Spanish Republic ports. We also remember the volunteers who raised funds and cared for the Basque refugee children who found sanctuary here.’
‘First to challenge the Fascist naval blockade was Sunderland born Captain Andrews (pic.) in a ship built in Sunderland. I am delighted that the relatives of Captain Andrews and other relatives of the brave sons of Sunderland will be joining us.’
‘It’s always an honour to be joined by relatives of the volunteers, however many cannot make it and send messages of support. In return we reassure them that they are remembered showing that the City of Sunderland is proud of them and their loved ones.’
‘Dr Scott (author, Social Poilcy & Criminology, Open University) will also be bringing a memorial to the Sunderland North Sands Massacre of 1825 which the VFL attended last year. We collaborate often. The memorial will be mounted inside the Holy Trinity church.’
‘We will also hear from representatives of the North East Volunteers for Liberty, the Association of the UK Basque children (Association of the UK Basque Children ), the Associazione Nazionale Partigiani d’Italia (anpi.org.uk), and relatives of some of the volunteers.’
Tony added ‘I am especially pleased that Sister Mary Scholastica (pic) of the Sunderland Sailors’ mission has agreed to speak again at our commemoration. This year she was awarded the freedom of the City of Sunderland for her work looking after the welfare of seafarers who visit the city, an act of international solidarity as honourable as the formation of the International Brigades ninety years ago.’
The commemoration on Sunday 1st November 2026 will be opened by The Right Worshipful Mayor of the City of Sunderland, Councillor Robert Hutchinson and the Mayoress Councillor Glenda Hall.
Refreshments will be available on the day also music and poetry from Francis David, Sara Dennis, Harry Gallagher and Eileen Richardson.
For further details contact NEVolunteersforliberty@gmail.com
Featured on here have been a few stories about myths, legends and mysterious happenings, so when talking to North East entertainer Dawn Wilkinson about her work for a future post, she mentioned if I had heard of the Gateshead Grey. No, tell me more.
It was a story about a 5 year old boy called Robert who was visited by a UFO in 1940, subsequently the alien grey was killed with a coal shovel by his Uncle Ernie and buried under St Cuthberts Church in Bensham. Well, I’m in.
North East radio late night talk show host Alan Robson remembers numerous callers phoning the show who had remembered the incident and reading about it in local newspapers.
So, what did happen? A quick on line search revealed more information about the story plus an unexpected email from another source gave me a name to contact. Richard Hall had made a documentary about the Gateshead Grey in 2008. You can watch it here >>
Richard was born in 1967 in Ashington where his father was under manager of the coal mine. The family moved to Shotley Bridge in County Durham where he was educated at Blackfyne Comprehensive School in Consett. He obtained a scholarship and sponsorship from NEI Parsons Ltd to study Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Newcastle University, finally graduating in 1990.
‘I worked as a professional engineer from 1986 to 2002 for Rolls Royce Industrial Controls and later for Joyce Loebl Limited. In 2002 I set up a computer repair business and did that until around 2008.’ explained Richard.
‘In 2008 I started making videos on various subjects and published the work on my website richplanet.net. Since then, I have made hundreds of videos and films about a wide range of subjects. From 2009 to 2015 I had my own TV show on the Sky Satellite platform.’
How did you first come across the story of the Gateshead Grey?
‘I put an advert in the Evening Chronicle for a lecture I was giving at Caedmen Hall in Gateshead about UFOs. The main witness, Robert Hall (no relation) saw my advert and contacted me and told me about his story. He gave me a copy of an article that had been written about his case by former detective and UFO researcher Gary Heseltine. So, I decided to look into it as I lived locally at the time.’
What was the outcome from your research into the Gateshead Grey?
‘At the time I was persuaded by the evidence that something along the lines of his claims did happen. Since then, having investigated many more cases, I am more sceptical about people’s claims – having learned just how un-reliable witnesses can be – for lots of different reasons.’
‘However, in Robert’s case, many things in his narrative are true. For example, Sergeant Brooks did have a beat on Saltwell Road at that time, there was a coal yard where he said, Mona Hollands shop did exist and the names of the children. So, if he was fabricating his story, he has carefully woven many real provable details into his account.’
‘I do feel something happened. One woman I managed to trace, who was one of the girls who Robert said were frantically climbing over the railway fence to get away from the scene, wrote me a note after I tried to speak to her – warning me strongly never to contact her. Her reaction to me simply asking if anything happened was indicative that she was petrified – or not allowed to even talk about it.’
‘I cannot put my hand on my heart and say it happened as Robert described. If I was to pick up the case again, I would start by transcribing all of his interviews and have them analysed by a statement analyst who will be able to say confidently whether he was fabricating or recalling real things.’
‘I have used expert statement analysist a lot in more recent investigations – in order to determine the veracity of witnesses. I am totally open minded on Robert’s story.’
How did you first get interested in media work?
‘I heard an interview in the 1990s with Bob Lazar who claimed he had worked on recovered UFOs at area 51 in America. Since then, I have always had an interest in UFOs. Around 2005 I became aware of the UFO Disclosure Project ran by Dr Stephen Greer, which further cemented my interest in the subject.’
‘I started making my own videos and films on the subject around 2008. From around 2011 I started delving into other areas where I believe the truth is being hidden from the public at large, and have produced many films on controversial subjects.’
Have there been any unusual events or surprises when researching a story?
‘I’ve had a death threat in a phone call, plus death threats by email. There have been many surprises. When you set off to investigate and find your own evidence and seek out witnesses who have not spoken before, the picture is never exactly as it has been portrayed in the media.’
‘One surprise was to meet a key witness in the Derek Bird mass shooting incident in Cumbria 2010, who stood and watched the gunman at close range for over a minute and described him as a completely different person to the alleged gunman.’
‘Other surprises involve being visited or telephoned by police to warn me about certain investigations. When I started investigating the Jill Dando case, I got a phone call from former Tory MP and author Jeffrey Archer, that was a big surprise. Being jumped on by mainstream journalists and filmed has happened several times.’
What are you working on now?
‘I am writing a book entitled ‘Revising Everything’ looking at the creation of the Universe, the Earth, life, gods, history, power, technology etc. My take on everything basically which corrects or ‘revises’ a lot of the untruths that people carry around in their heads.’
For further information go to the official website >>>
New book ‘Mother Marshall’s Make Believe Menagerie’ released by Sunderland Writer and Illustrator Fiona Duncan
What was the inspiration behind the ‘Mother Marshall’ book ?
The inspiration wildly became clearer afterwards, when I sat and looked at the finished book. I’m from a family of story tellers, surrounded by amazing women especially and had a great childhood, spending every summer with my extended family in the wilds of Scotland.
So, a life long interest of folk horror, traditional folk stories and a love of the witch rather than the princess in fairy stories definitely shaped the idea of Mother Marshall from the start.
Even as a child, I was fascinated by the witch in every story. Why did Dorothy take those shoes, they weren’t hers so no wonder Elphaba got pissed? Why was Maleficent so cranky when she could turn into a dragon?
They always intrigued me rather than scared me and combine that with finding out about the witch trials and looking at them through a feminist lens, it all just became even more compelling. The actual history combined with the cultural impact of the witch has made for a life long obsession.
What is your background?
I’m a 56 year old author and artist left school with the minimum qualifications but still managed to get into Art College, then took two decades before I made it to the University of Sunderland to study Fine Art and yet another 10 years before I managed to finish an MA in Illustration at Falmouth University.
I’ve always struggled with education in the traditional sense but I love reading and researching stuff so once I get my teeth into something I enjoy that part of the process.
Have you had any reviews or feedback, have the band commented? (Fiona is also vocalist with Sunderland punk band Slalom D)
I’m very lucky to have had some fantastic reviews and the feedback has blown me away. Certainly, made all the hard work to get it out there worth it.
As far as band are concerned, they’ve supported me all the way, through the writing, the endless months of planning and drawing, they’ve been there, bought the book and I’m sure they’d get the t-shirt if I made any.
Sunderland Literacy Aid and Media Savvy in Sunderland were a huge help in getting the project over the finish line too. Without SLA this would probably still be a pile of sketch and note books, they helped financing the printing and encouraged me from the very start and still continue to support me in getting ‘Mother Marshall’ out there.
Lastly prayers and thoughts should really go to my partner Roy, he’s holding the rest of our life together as I’m cracking on with book number two!
Is the book available to buy or is it on loan in the library?
You can get a copy direct from my website feduncanillustration.com (A huddle round the cauldron) or from Chapter 13 bookshop in Sunderland. She’s also made it into our local libraries, schools and even our newest library in Sunderland, Culture House.
A hit North East play about WW1 women footballers and munitionettes is to return early next year. Wisecrack Productions’ Jane Harker said: “We are delighted to be bringing ‘Wor Bella’ back. It is a terrific story about forgotten, heroic women. Demand is incredible. This will be the third time in only five years it has been produced.”
Bella Reay
‘Wor Bella’ premiered in 2022 and subsequently sold out nine venues in the North East and London before transferring to Newcastle Theatre Royal in 2025. The play received standing ovations after every performance and now plans are in place to tour the region this coming March to celebrate International Women’s Month.
Jane continued…“Set in 1918 during WW1 ‘Wor Bella’ is a timeless story about women’s struggles, which more than 100 years later is still relevant. Hundreds of football teams were formed nationally and dozens in the North East. We want each new generation to know about these fantastic, heroic working class women. This is their incredible story. I can’t think of a more appropriate story to tell during International Women’s Month.”
The play is told from the viewpoint of “Wor” Bella Reay, the Blyth Spartans centre forward who in an 18 month period scored an incredible 133 goals in 30 matches. They achieved cup glory in 1918 and Bella went on to represent England.
Jane added: “Bella Reay has been described as ‘the Alan Shearer of her day’ –a fitting accolade as the former Newcastle and England star makes a to-camera cameo in the play. He’s very supportive.”
Wor Bella was written by Ed Waugh, who also includes the hit shows ‘The Cramlington Train Wreckers’, ‘Carrying David’ and ‘Hadaway Harry’ in his extensive canon of work.
‘WOR BELLA’ tour dates 2027
March 3, Hexham Queen’s Hall
March 4 & 5, Phoenix Theatre, Blyth
March 7, Glasshouse Gateshead
March 9, The Tullie, Carlisle
March 10, Witham, Barnard Castle
March 11, Bishop Auckland Town Hall
March 12, Gosforth Civic Theatre
March 13, Westovian Theatre, South Shields
For further details and to book tickets visit the venue websites or visitwww.worbella.co.uk
‘On 10th October 1986 the Teesside Pensioners Association held a commemorative dinner in the Billingham Arms Hotel to mark the 50th anniversary of the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. Trade Union leader Jack Jones was the principal speaker.’ said organiser and head of North East Volunteers for Liberty, Tony Fox.
‘A formal dinner, principally for the relatives of International Brigade volunteers, will be held at The Moline Cross, in Norton (https://www.themolinecross.co.uk/)
The dinner will mark the 40th anniversary of the Commemorative dinner in Billingham Arms and the 90th anniversary of the outbreak of the Spanish civil war.’
Tony added ‘As well as a number of relatives of North East volunteers I’m pleased to announce that David Jones has agreed to speak at the dinner, he will be representing his grandfather, Jack. We will have a two course dinner, of either chicken or beef, with vegetables, the dessert can be ordered on the night. The cost will be £20 per person, without drinks. Pre-payment is necessary.’
Contact: NEVolunteersforliberty@gmail.com for further details or to book a place for Saturday October 10th 2026 at 6.30pmat The Moline Cross, in Norton – TS20 1PE.
A play about North East miners imprisoned for accidently derailing the Flying Scotsman during the 1926 General Strike, was staged in The Waterfront Hall in Belfast and The Playhouse in Derry. Both venues saw enthusiastic audiences and standing ovations.
The Cramlington Train Wreckers was written by North East playwright Ed Waugh who has spent more than 20 years writing plays about working-class life (Wor Bella, Hadaway Harry, Carrying David).
“It’s a story about working-class unity. Whether you’re from north east England, Belfast or Derry, they’re stories about solidarity told with a different accent.” said Ed.
Mr Waugh worked closely with Northern Ireland’s trade union movement to help stage the production. They received backing from several trade unions, including NIPSA, Unite, Unison, the Fire Brigades Union and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
Ed praised working with NIPSA…
“I’ve been incredibly proud to work alongside NIPSA. Their commitment to bringing people together reflects exactly what this play is about. It shows that working people are united by their shared struggles.”
“That message of working people being united has certainly connected with audiences in Northern Ireland.”
Neville’s music has attracted attention from the BBC and the specialist music press. His debut album The Edge of Destruction established Neville (53) as a distinctive voice in contemporary British music. The critically acclaimed debut featured on this site in July 2023. However,for this post Neville has brought something special from his family history research.
Durham Miners Gala has been a regular date in the working class calendar for over a 100 year. Thousands of people, many with Union flags and miners banners, march through the city on a big day out in July. They commemorate the past while looking forward to a stronger future together. In film footage of the Gala from 1939, Neville recognised one of the marchers…
‘My great-grandfather John Wright Neville is in the 1939 Durham Miners’ Gala film. The film catches him pointing to where the cameraman is standing.’
‘This Gala took place only two months before the outbreak of World War II. Very much the end of an era. He got his nickname ‘Mutt’ because he muttered – an unfortunate legacy of life in the trenches. He’s wearing the standard ‘sunday best’ uniform for working-class men at the Gala. As far as I’m aware no other working man in that film has ever been identified.’
What else did you know about him?
‘He was a boilermaker at Greensfield Locomotive Works in Gateshead. Boilermakers were the elite of the railway world, building and repairing the massive steel steam locomotive boilers needed immense physical strength. Something which clearly helped him to anchor the championship-winning LNER tug-of-war team for 1929, 1930 and 1931.’
‘My grandfather, John Wright’s son, was the seventh of seven boys as was John Wright (and his father) – so 7th son of a 7th son of a 7th son, pretty rare. John Wright’s wife’s name was Ellen. Big families they had then.’
Still image of John Wright Neville from the film of the 1939 Durham Miners Gala.
How did you first come across the footage?
‘When I was Assistant Keeper of Fine Art at Durham University they built the Palatine Centre in 2012 and I was asked to research what was previously on that site, which was the Elvet Colliery.’
‘As well as commissioning a sculpture by the artist Peter Sales to acknowledge the mining heritage of the site I had to find photographs if possible, of the colliery. Not so easy as the colliery closed in 1908, but I believe I found one shot of it derelict.’
‘Looking through archives for images of course the Miners Gala came up. By chance I showed the 1939 film to my father, who identified his grandfather. I was then able to show it to my grandfather (who was in his 90s then) and he confirmed it, and when I got a photograph of my great grandfather he was unmistakable.’
‘So, a million to once chance. The narrative of the rest of my great grandfather’s life reads like the plot of a classic novel. He married into a Romani gypsy family and was disowned by his master-chandler father.’
Where is the film available?
‘I believe it’s held by the NEFA (North East Film Archive). It used to be on YouTube but I think it’s long gone sadly. Luckily, I recorded it at the time and just cut up the bit with John Wright to show my grandfather to confirm his identity.’
What’s next in your family research?
‘I’ve realised in jotting down the information for you that it would be a fascinating thing for me to try to research. The National Railway Museum at York has hard copies of the LNER Magazine (1927-1947). Boilermakers were highly unionized and this information is preserved at the National Archives.‘
‘What would also be interesting would be to identify the Greensfield banner, since railway workers didn’t march with miners’ lodges but behind their own NUR branch banners.’
Alikivi July 2026
If you can help Foster with the Greensfield banner get in touch.
A hit play about North East miners imprisoned for derailing the Flying Scotsman during the 1926 General Strike is transferring to Northern Ireland before it plays the prestigious Newcastle Theatre Royal.
Playwright Ed Waugh (Carrying David, Wor Bella) was invited to talk about the play at two Irish venues last week.
Firstly, how did you get there Ed?
‘I flew! It only takes 40 minutes from Newcastle to Belfast International Airport. My Metro journey from Newcastle Airport to South Shields took much longer!’
‘I spent a couple of nights in Derry but while in Belfast, and Derry, there was lots of talk about the race riots. Theatre shows were cancelled and the bars weren’t up to their usual capacity. I was told people are reticent about coming out of their homes to socialise publicly at the moment.’
pic.PlaywrightEd Waugh in The Waterfront Hall, Belfast.
How did the Ireland connection come about?
‘I was approached by Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) who have a membership of 47,000 and are the biggest Northern Ireland-based trade union.
They were instrumental in getting additional trade union support from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ITUC), Unite, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and Unison. The latter have 50,000 members in Northern Ireland and are based across the UK.’
Along with the talks Ed was interviewed by BBC Radio Ulster in Belfast and BBC Radio Foyle in Derry.
‘I was amazed by the BBC presenters who interviewed me in Belfast (BBC Ulster) and Derry (BBC Foyle). They had obviously done their homework and their preparation was brilliant, they were good interviews. I was impressed.’
‘I was able to get the point across about the need for workers’ unity and the importance of trade unions in this, to cut across racial, religious and gender bigotry.’
‘These disgusting prejudices are whipped up by the representatives of the wealthiest 1 per cent to detract from the growing inequalities in society. It’s the traditional ‘divide and rule’ tactic to scapegoat minorities rather than the real culprits.’
pic. Playwright Ed Waugh outside Derry Playhouse.
How did you find Belfast and Derry?
‘Both Belfast and Derry are highly political cities. There are political murals everywhere and every family was affected by the troubles.’
‘Despite these historical injustices, Belfast is a brilliant place. I’ve been a number of times and it reminds me of Newcastle. People are very friendly and the place has a buzz.’
‘Mind you, Derry blew me away. What a fantastic place! I paid tribute to the Undertones mural before heading to the BBC to be interviewed but en route people would just say “hello” and smile. it was lovely.’
‘It was announced before the BBC Radio Foyle (Derry) interview that I was speaking and there to meet me at the station to say hello was a chap from Wallsend. He’d emigrated in 1973 but still had his Geordie accent.’
Would you call the visit successful Ed?
‘When I got the taxi home in the evening the taxi driver asked me what I was doing in Derry and when I told him he said he’d be at the front of the queue if there was another general strike.’
The Cramlington Train Wreckers is playing Derry Playhouse on July 8 and Waterford Hall, Belfast, on July 9, before transferring to Newcastle Theatre Royal on July 12. The two shows at Newcastle will be at 3pm and 7.30pm. There is limited ticket availability for both shows.
