PRESS RELEASE 23/3/2012
The winner of the 2012 Northern Voices Joseph Skipsey Award is the late Gordon MacPherson (1928-1999). The Award was accepted by his daughter Heather Wood of Easington at the Joseph Skipsey 180th anniversary event at the Mining Institute in Newcastle on 17th March.
Northern Voices Community Projects coordinator Keith Armstrong also picked up a lifetime achievement award.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: 0191 2529531
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)
