HARTLEY PIT CALAMITY 150TH ANNIVERSARY PROPOSALS
1. A commemorative book, with the Hartley Calamity history and creative writing from young and old, together with a selection from the poetry of Pitman Poet Joseph Skipsey, poems by Dr Keith Armstrong and a Skipsey biography, with an insert CD to the book featuring Keith and others performing their Hartley poems and those of Skipsey, together with folk musicians. Photos of memorial, church and churchyard, new photos of colliery site and contributors in situ plus historical images and engravings.
2. A series of performances in Earsdon/New Hartley/North Shields etc, featuring folk music and poetry, including poems by Joseph Skipsey (with a special performance of his long ballad on Hartley) and Hartley creative writing (poems and lyrics) from young and old.
3. A number of stimulus sessions in schools/community centres etc led by Keith Armstrong to encourage Hartley creative writing from young and old.
4. A touring display created by Peter Dixon.
