PICTURE FROM THE PAST with Durham musician Foster Neville

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.

Link to previous post with Foster Neville >>>

THROUGH LANDS OF GHOSTS – New album from Durham based musician Foster Neville | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE

UP THE NORTH with writer & theatre producer Ed Waugh in Northern Ireland

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. Playwright Ed 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.

For tickets and more information, visit: 

www.theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on/cramlington-train-wreckers.

Alikivi  June  2026 

Link to previous interviews for The Cramlington Train Wreckers >>>

NE tour for new play – THE CRAMLINGTON TRAIN WRECKERS starring Alexandra Tahnee | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE

WHO WERE THE CRAMLINGTON TRAIN WRECKERS? | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE

REIVER READS – with Hexham author, historian & book dealer Robb Turnbull

57 year old Robb Turnbull read history at Ruskin College Oxford and Northumbria University. He is author of two books ‘Left for the Rising Sun – Right For Swan Hunter’, also, the follow up biography of Noah Ablett, ‘Climbing Mount Sinai’.

‘I’ve previously written for TLS, BBC History Magazine, Medieval History, Jacobin, The Morning Star, Medieval Living; and have just written a book aimed at teenagers and young people on the bloody history of the 14 C Scottish Borders – ‘Flight of the Frescobaldi’ will be published later this year” said Hexham born Robb.

“I still live there along with my wife Kim, who is part of Reiver Reads.”

What is Reiver Reads and what are its main aims?

‘Reiver Reads is a radical and socialist bookshop based in Carlisle’s historic Victorian Market Hall. The shop was opened by Kim and I in July 2023. Our aim is to provide a space for discussion and debate in a friendly and welcoming environment, and to act as a counterweight to the advance of the far right who are rapidly gaining ground in Carlisle.’

‘As the parents of an openly gay child, Kim and I are acutely aware of the rising tide of hostility directed at anyone who may appear different, and so Reiver Reads if it is about anything, is about education to counter that prejudice. As a result, we have recently teamed up with the Sophie Lancaster Foundation and will shortly be selling their merchandise.’

Sophie Lancaster was a young woman who was attacked by a gang of boys in 2007 for being different. Link to full story and website >>>  The Sophie Lancaster Foundation

My house is full of books, have read since I was a kid and still go to the library. Are people like me a dying breed?

‘You raise an interesting point. I would say the majority of our customers are in the 40 plus age bracket which suggests that children and young people are not reading. I think it’s more nuanced than this. I was in Newcastle yesterday with our two year old grandson and the children’s section in Waterstones was busy.’

Regarding future plans we are hoping to start a book delivery service around Carlisle for those with limited mobility. The idea came via a good friend of ours who struggles to walk. It still needs work, but the idea is there.

‘As regards our First Saturday Talks, we are looking to increase our range of speakers, and subjects. I would love it if we could have Dr Janina Ramirez for example.’ 

For more information on Reiver Reads contact the Facebook page.

More reading from Robb Turnbull:  

‘Left for the Rising Sun- Right For Swan Hunter’ – The Plebs League in the North East of England 1908-1926 (Five Leaves Press, Nottingham 2014).

‘Climbing Mount Sinai’ biography of Noah Ablett 1883-1935, (Socialist History Society 2017)

Alikivi   June 2026

CENTENARY – New show at The Glasshouse, Gateshead

May 4, 2026, marks the centenary of the first full day of the 1926 General Strike where millions of British workers withdrew their labour and challenged the establishment. They believed a better world was possible.

To mark this historical event the same team that brought successful plays Wor Bella, Carrying David and Hadaway Harry are staging Centenary at the Glasshouse.

“We have a great team and the show will be fantastic. We did a very popular show about four years ago called ‘Boris Out’, and look what happened to him!” said playwright and Theatre producer Ed Waugh

“One hundred years ago millions of workers and their families went on strike. A General Strike poses the question of state power, the 1 per cent – the privileged Establishment or the working class – those who actually create the wealth in society.” 

“Despite the heroism and sacrifice of the trade union rank and file, the union leaders in the TUC realised the question of state power was at stake – the Russian Revolution nine years earlier had sent shockwaves throughout the world. These TUC cowards sold out the strike unconditionally after only nine days.”

Ed added “Their pusillanimity led to a carnival of reaction against the trade unions and workers by the Tory government. The miners continued their strike for another six months but were starved back to work. We haven’t had a general strike in this country since. But we’ve been close”. 

“We have to learn the lessons of 1926 for the next time, which is on the horizon. The 1926 General Strike was a hugely important period in working class history.”

‘Centenary’ will include songs, comedy, stand up and recitations to celebrate the nine day strike. A big addition are musicians Paul Weller (The Jam) Alan Hull (Lindisfarne), Tom Robinson and Paul Simmonds (The Men They Couldn’t Hang) have personally given permission for their music to be played at the show.

“We are delighted to have been given personal permission from these great songwriters. It will be an evening of brilliant musical and comedic entertainment and inspiration.” added Ed.

Tickets are available for ‘Centenary’ at The Glasshouse, Gateshead at 4pm or 8pm on Monday May 4th 2026.

Home | The Glasshouse International Centre for Music

www.wisecrackproductions.co.uk

Alikivi   January 2026

RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME?

A lot is made of being in the right place at the right time to help bring success. But you can’t get past the sheer amount of hard work put in, every time giving 100% and never complaining. There is no substitute for rehearsal and when the opportunity presents itself you’ve got to be ready to take it. A snapshot of a story taken from Sting’s autobiography Broken Music hits the mark. This all happened within a few heady months during 1978.

The Police went out on a UK tour to open for Spirit led by guitarist Randy California. They won over a hippy audience and released their single Roxanne. Their record company A&M fully supported the record but money wasn’t rolling in yet.

To pay rent on his London flat Wallsend born Sting was still filming a few adverts and bit part in films. The Great Rock n Roll Swindle was one, although his scene ended up on the cutting room floor. ‘I was grateful, however, for the 125 quid at the end of the day’ said Sting.

He also went for a part in Quadrophenia filmed in Brighton. ‘I know that they’re seeing half of London for this role, but somehow I know it’s mine’.

After finishing on the film set in Brighton the record company hired a private car to whisk Sting off to Gatwick airport and jump on a flight to Manchester, finally arriving at the BBC TV studios where The Police were due to appear on the Old Grey Whistle Test. Sting remembers ‘It’s still raining when we land in Manchester. Yet another car and driver waiting to take me to the studio, where we have a sound check. The performance tonight is live’.

After a successful TV appearance a tour of the east coast of America was booked. Second night of the tour The Police are in Poughkeepsie theatre with only six people in the audience. Do they cancel? No. Sting brings the audience down to the front and introduces each other. Then ‘give a blistering set we will ever manage, encore after encore’.

The audience are invited back stage where it turns out three of them are DJ’s. The next day Roxanne makes its debut on USA radio. Within a couple years The Police are one of the biggest bands in the world. Now how did fellow Tynesider Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits knock them off their perch?

Alikivi   January 2025

SUNDERLAND SOLIDARITY in conversation with artist Rob MacDonald

55 year old artist and stonemason Rob MacDonald originally from Rugby in the Midlands has lived in Catalonia, Spain for the last 15 years working on community art installations. His latest project is in Sunderland.

About 10 years ago I came across a story about International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) who came from the UK. It was really interesting especially finding a guy who was on a ship coming from the UK with the same name as me. It piqued my interest so at first I decided I was going to make a sculpture of this guy explained Rob.

Rob in Sunderland City Hall with brochure of the monument in Catalonia, Spain. (pic. Alikivi Sept 2025)

I’d already worked on a few projects and exhibitions in Barcelona so I met with local contacts Alan Warren and Sonia Garangou, teachers and lead historian on the Ciudad de Barcelona. Together we developed a community art history project in the coastal town of Malgrat de mar 40 miles north of Barcelona.  

As we talked about the history it became obvious that this wasn’t just about Rob McDonald on that ship it was about all of the International Brigade volunteers and how it related to politics and fascism today. We agreed that it needed to be a community led project because the memory of the Spanish Civil War is a sensitive issue. We didn’t want to go off and just make something ourselves.

The big question about it in Spain is the historic memory, the political left want to talk about it, republicans want to talk about it, but there are questions remaining like where are the unmarked graves? In Catalonia they realise how important the International Brigade volunteers were. In the end the backbone of the idea was to build a monument.

The first monument was opened on May 30th 2022 at Malgrat de mar. It is actively being added to every year, it’s a living monument. When working on it the figures were made in a series of workshops with local people. Some worked on them for 2 minutes others stayed for over an hour as I told them about the stories. I also went into schools and the students took away the information and learned more about the International Brigades.

There are loads of levels to the project – art projects, exhibitions and performances. It’s been really successful. Also, every year in May there is an event held at the monument where the Mayor and all the dignitaries of the town attend. All political parties support the project. There is a broad support, the first 30,000 euros for this monument were crowd funded.

Now we are based in Sunderland college. I have found a lot of pride here, people get behind the area, not just the football team but the shipbuilding history.

Normally around towns you see monuments of kings and queens and people you don’t know. But it isn’t working class history the sculpture is not done by the people and the community are never asked. It gets decided by someone in an office somewhere. The community don’t engage with it. The participation living monument is about community engagement. That is what we are interested in.

I’ve talked to people about working class struggle and the arts. We built up this idea that monuments and public spaces are part of the struggle for working class people’s dignity, history and rights – it’s all tied together. And the symbolism of sculpture is important because it talks to the community about who they are and who they are not.

Sunderland City Hall (pic Alikivi Sept 2025)

There are amazing stories of Sunderland being involved in the International Brigades. One ship bound for Spain in the civil war had on board two unemployed shipworkers from the city. Some of the ships were built here and the captains were from the city. There were men from here who risked their lives to help feed people in a foreign conflict.

Part of the project is not only to expose the history but find it as well because people from the city will be related to some of the Brigade volunteers. We need to build up those connections.

We are at a critical point in the project we are networking with people to make this monument happen. It’s important that people are involved in the process of making it. We are in talks with Culture and local Council – organisations we are looking to partner with and make links to get support.

There are a couple of areas where we would like for a monument – Mowbray and Barnes Park are nice and this new development down here (we are in City Hall) but there may be other suggestions.

The history of the Brigades might be tucked away in a cupboard here in the City Hall when really it should be in an exhibition for the community to see. You know they were brave people, heroes really, and this is an important part of social history that needs to be told.

Alikivi    September 2025

For more information contact >>> https://solidaritypark.com/solidarity-sunderland/

I CAN’T TURN BACK TIME with Vincent J. Edwards

South Shields born Vinny Edwards has featured on this site a few times. Type his name in the search bar for previous write ups about his time in the music biz including international chart hit Back Where We Started From which reached #2 in the USA and #8 in the UK. Recently he got in touch and told me another story about one of his songs.

I was living in a flat in Wandsworth in London when I wrote and recorded I Can’t Turn Back Time in 1967. It was my second solo single for United Artists after The Answers broke up. We recorded the A and B side The Lively One at Olympic studios within three hours can you believe!

The B side was used for a commercial for Texaco petrol in the UK and USA. I Can’t Turn Back Time was played mostly on the pirate radio stations London and Caroline. I believe it charted on both stations it also broke into some Northern Soul charts.

In America it was released under the name Tim Love on the Ascot label so I would not be confused with the American actor Vince Edwards who played Dr Ben Casey in the TV series. It was just after this I changed my name to J Vincent Edwards. The ‘J’ I took from Jarra or Jarrow if you were posh.

Later there were two more records on United Artists – County Durham Dream and Aquarius then along came the musical ‘Hair’ and a new record company CBS. They were crazy happy days for a 22year old lad from South Shields’ Ocean Road school.

Link to the American release on the Ascot record label of ‘I Can’t Turn Back Time’

>>> https://youtu.be/79W6RtoJjDM?si=IGSL09KbaSvNN57v

Alikivi   September 2025

LOOKING FOR LUCIFER #7 – The continuing search for Italian born author & artist Baron Avro Manhattan (1914-90).

Avro Manhattan

Since 2012 I’ve been researching the life of this fascinating character who was originally named Theophile Lucifer Gardini. He spent his last years living in a terraced house round the corner from where I live in South Shields.

In 2018 I produced a short documentary ‘Secrets & Lies’ based on what I found about his life so far, a link is at the end of the post.

I often mention him to neighbours and hear the odd story about Avro and his wife Anne. Recently an old friend got in touch and remembers the couple who lived at 45 Henry Nelson Street.

‘We moved into 32 Henry Nelson first week of June 1990, I think Avro died in the November so it was only a short time. I remember his wife used to have a little furry dog. She used to walk it out all the time.’ Recalled 60 year old Jeff Anderson now living in Washington, County Durham.

Jeff Anderson

‘I’d see them in the street. Always well dressed. Always smiling. I don’t think local people were aware of who he was to be honest.’

‘Actually, very first time I came across him and his wife was prior to moving into the same street. I saw them on the corner of King Street in the town centre. They really stood out, there was a real glow about them. They had a big smile on their faces. You couldn’t help but notice them’.

‘What they were wearing was very classy – not the type of clothes the everyday person of Shields would wear on a Saturday afternoon. They really stood out of the crowd just by their whole demeanour.’

‘But when Avro died I remember his wife was absolutely devastated. From the initial sighting in King Street and other times in Henry Nelson they had this glow about them but after Avro died that seemed to vanish from her. From what I can remember she was never quite the same’.

‘A strange thing happened to me on the night he died. I went to pick my wife up from work in the town centre but there was nowhere to park so I had to go back round the block. I went past St Hilda’s Church and as I went round the corner I had like a paranormal occurrence – the only way to describe it. I actually saw a vision of Avro on the ground reaching up to me. I was shocked, I thought what’s going on. This is a bit weird.’

‘I continued on and as I came back round the block again there was no sign of him. Gone. It really freaked me out as you can imagine. It wasn’t until a few days later that I learned he had died that night. So, you know what was going on there?’

‘I didn’t know anything about him having any health problems. He died at 76 you say? Doesn’t seem that old now does it?’

If you have any information about Italian born author & artist Baron Avro Manhattan (1914-90) please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Alikivi   June 2025

SECRETS & LIES – script of the film based on the life of Baron Avro Manhattan | ALIKIVI : NORTH EAST UK CULTURE

‘CARRYING DAVID’ PLAYS NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL

Micky Cochrane and Glenn McCrory with Tim Healy, who was ringside on the night of the world title bout in 1989 when Glenn became world cruiserweight champion. (Copyright Ed Waugh)

“Carrying David is emotional and heart-breaking. It’s about the love of two brothers. This is pure theatre. You don’t have to like boxing to be emotionally involved in this wonderful story” said actor, Micky Cochrane.

Carrying David premiered in 2019 and played to full houses gaining the actor a standing ovation for his telling of an emotive and inspiring story.

Post-Covid, the play was staged in London and toured the north of Ireland to sell-out crowds, including the prestigious Lyric theatre in Belfast.

The play tells the incredible story of Glenn McCrory’s rise to becoming the first-ever world champion boxer from the North East. It also has the further twist that Glenn’s terminally ill brother David inspired him to become the best in the world.

The play was written by Ed Waugh who brought North East working class stories to the stage Wor BellaHadaway Harry and more recently The Cramlington Train Wreckers which toured the region with sold out performances.

Ed explained “This play is about two lads from Stanley. Glenn McCrory played by Micky Cochrane – aiming to become world boxing champion and his brother David McCrory – fighting every day to stay alive!”

David’s muscle-wasting disease meant Glenn often physically carried his brother on his back, hence the title of this fantastic story.

“David and I were very close,” said Glenn, a former Sky television pundit. “He was my inspiration. David would say, “If I can defy death, you can become a world champion! Saying those words still brings tears to my eyes. I think of David every day.”

David was not expected to live beyond 14 but evaded death until he was 29, living to see his beloved brother win the coveted world cruiserweight title in 1989.

The fight was held at Stanley Leisure Centre and broadcast live throughout the world. It is the remarkable story of an underdog defying all the odds – a North East story that people still talk about today.

Ed added “The performance by Micky is sublime. He won a standing ovation at every venue, the reviews are all five-star. Rocky was a great film…but this County Durham Rocky story is even better…and true!”

Carrying David will be performed at Newcastle Theatre Royal on Saturday and Sunday, June 21 & 22. Tickets (including concessions) are available from the Theatre Royal or via the Theatre Royal website  Carrying David | Newcastle Theatre Royal

Edit: Alikivi  May 2025

DRAWING NEWCASTLE’S LIT & PHIL – with Blyth born cartoonist David Haldane

David Haldane appearing at the Lit & Phil, Newcastle on 23 April 2025.

David Haldane’s work has appeared in a number of national newspapers including Punch, The Express, Mirror, Guardian, Telegraph, Daily Mail and The Times. On Wednesday 23rd April he is booked at Newcastle’s Lit &Phil where he will be sharing stories from his life.

Now living in Morpeth he said “It’s been an incredible 50 or so years learning about drawing cartoons and then creating them for the leading newspapers and magazines in the country.”

Born in 1954, David started his career in the 70s working for the Shields Gazette “I was working for the art department at the Gazette. I received my first pay packet there, every Friday, in cash. It was so busy with three editions of the paper every day. It was like Fleet Street!”

During the 1980s David contributed sketches to the original series of Spitting Image. Now retired from The Times, his latest cartoons regularly appear in the satirical magazine Private Eye.

Playwright Ed Waugh is hosting the evening at the Lit & Phil “I’ve known David for over 20 years and he’s both very sharp and very funny. You have to be to create top-class satirical cartoons every day, often at very short notice, for national newspaper front pages”.

He continued “David’s career stories are both deep and hilarious. It will be a fantastic evening for people who want a laugh and those who want to find out about some of the stories behind the many thousands of tremendous cartoons David has created and had published.” 

Tickets for the Lit & Phil are only £5 and can be bought on line 

https://www.litandphil.org.uk/event/david-haldane-in-conversation-with-ed-waugh/ 

or via (0191) 232 0192.

The Blyth Library event is on Monday, May 12, and tickets are available from 

Blyth Library – David Haldane In Conversation with Ed Waugh Tickets, Mon, May 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite

David will also be staging his ‘Evening With’ at The Word, South Shields on September 24 and at Gosforth Civic Theatre on September 30.

Alikivi  April  2025