The Long March Back

Commemorating the end of the 1984/5 miners strike and the aftermath.

A day conference in conjunction with a workers Bookfare

And Miners Folk Music/poetry social

Saturday 6^th March 2010

11-30 am

The Bridge Hotel

Castle Garth

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Provisional Programme

Speakers      Ian Lavery, President of the NUM has agreed to chair the first half and open the conference.  Chris Kitchen the General Secretary of the NUM has agreed to open and chair the second part of the conference.

David Douglass will launch his book Ghost Dancers, a comprehensive history of the strike and the fate of union and communities since. Confirmed.

Davie Hopper, General Secretary of the DMA along with Davie Guy President of the NE Area NUM will speak on The Durham Coalfield in the strike and the aftermath, and have confirmed

Keith Stanley, President of the Nottingham Miners and National Vice President has agreed  to give a talk on the Strike and Aftermath in the Nott’s Coalfield. Confirmed

Women Against Pit Closures are sending four of their prominent activists including Ann Scargill  to speak.

Rachael Horn, of the Pin The Pits Campaign  to speak for the Post Strike Generation, & has confirmed.  A discussion of artwork and projects.

Bill Ronskley, former President of ASLEF and President of Sheffield Trades Council will  speak on ‘Keeping the strike on the rails’ the rail unions in 84/5 and 92/3 and has confirmed.

Book Fare

In the room opposite, we will stage workers Bookfare supported by a variety of labour movement and workers organisations, including the Notts Area NUM and the IWW  which will run throughout the conference. The free buffet will be provided in this room.

Slide Show

Before the start of the Folk and Poetry Social,  a World To Win, will present a slide show of images from the strike,  based on the Newsline photography during the twelve months.

Informal discussion.

Evening Social

The Long March Back Folk/Poetry Social

We are planning a folk/poetry social for the  evening  At the Bridge, with a variety of top quality singers and poets. We anticipate the social will start at 7-30 pm.

(Newcastle Central Unite 1901 Branch have very kindly agreed to donate funding for the publicity and expenses as has The Yorkshire Area of the NUM .Donations  from other regional and national unions would be welcome. The conference is organised by David Douglass of the NUM and IWW in conjunction with the NUM, North East , Nottingham and Yorkshire Areas and IWW British Isles, with the support of RMT, Newcastle Central 1901 Branch Unite, Berwick Trades Council, with other unions being invited to sponsor and endorse. I am seeking the formal endorsement of the NUM NEC.)

djdouglass@hotmail.co.uk