Ushaw Moor in the 40's and 50's Part1

There is so much to write about the 40's and the 50's  I thought I would write about my memories of Ushaw Moor using the businesses which existed  then as a framework.The main business of course was the pit.I know Wilf placed the wives of pitmen as among the top 7 heroes of Ushaw Moor but to me the pitmen should also figure.44 fatalities by the time the pit closed but others' lives wrecked by their work. Pneumoconiosis, silicosis,broken or lost limbs are a testimony to this.They used to hew coal in low seams-my father(Buller Graham) had a" party piece "to show how low these seams were by crawling under a stick chair and demonstrate how he worked with a pick.I remember miners walking back fron the pit  to the village all black in their full pit gear until baths were installed presumably after nationalisation-until then it was out with the bath tin unless they were lucky and had a proper bath.When I got older I remember I would be sent to collect my father's pay from the colliery.Can you imagine doing that now?People were mainly honest then.You could leave your door open without fear.We used to have a key hanging down just inside the letter box to let ourselves into the house.I was also given the job to pay the union dues in a room at the top of the stairs in the Memorial Hall.It was often a long and frustrating wait so sometimes I would go to the house of Mr. George Connor who was the secretary to pay.He lived in Flass Avenue overlooking the green and next to the cut down to the back of Durham Road.However, we were grateful for the allowance of coal which was dumped outside the house and we would set to,picking out the roundies first  and then shovelling the rest into buckets and  throwing it into the coalhouse. Mining was a terrible job but it was the only job miners knew so when the local mines closed off they went to work in Nottinghamshire and other coalfields.

1998 And All That

It all began in 1998, or perhaps a little earlier. I stopped a man in the street and asked the whereabouts of Mr Vasey's home. "You mean John's place?" he said and I nodded. Directions given I knocked on the door with great expectancy;  the door opened to reveal a man that I could clearly identify as being John Vasey and no other. "Are you the lad that ran down Ushaw Moor County's right wing?"  Of course it was and I have kept in touch with him  ever since. John took me around the village to several ex miners' homes for a chat. My hope was that some of them might remember my grandfather Dickie Hope. Of course they did. How could you forget one of your overmen? There was a hint from one of them that the colliery manager was rather taken with my grandmother Ethel. Actually it was more than a hint. Although I am certain  there was no affair admiration was clearly not in short supply. 

I indicated to John and the miners that I wished to publish something about Ushaw Moor. Is it fair to say that I have now accomplished that? The work is not a conventional book; it is rather more akin to a modern device which youngsters might call an electronic book.  Either way I am referring to the many posts/articles that I have published on Paul's site. 

At my age I feel that I probably understand Ushaw Moor and its history. I also feel that I understand just a bit about how  the world ticks. Not enough mind you! As I see it the world at large is generally ruled by heavy hitters that create smoke and mirrors; in contrast the inhabitants of  an ex mining village rarely generate smoke or bring out mirrors because, apart from anything else, they are too busy striving to earn a living, feed their children and live an honourable life. No doubt a few people will have an affair and perhaps  the annual leek show requires close scrutiny, but I bet that there are no bankers living in Ushaw Moor to create exotic and dodgy financial instruments on a scale that leads to financial misery for millions of people. Hitters versus the rest has no doubt gone on right back into ancient times and I do not think that will ever change much. Perhaps an honourable dictator is not such a bad thing, but the risk that we end up with a less than bright Adolf, or an almighty poser like Mussolini, is perhaps a risk too far for us. Looking further a field others are of course living through that kind of misery right now.

I have a list of things to do that must be done. They really must be done. They are vitally important! I will be back briefly in November with an article that hopefully you will like. Meanwhile enjoy the warmer months and take care. 

WB

Memories Of The Police

We can start with Jock the policeman. He rebuked my bicycle riding uncle  for colliding with his police motor bike outside Broughs - even though it was during  a very murky dark evening back in WW2.

Then there was the 1980s miners' strike. One newspaper reported an allegation that police officers taunted striking, and unpaid, miners by fingering and/ or flashing five pound notes within sight of the miners. If true that was a touch provocative.

Then there was a contact of mine, going about their lawful business, who told me that  their car had been accidentally damaged by the police during their chase of some suspicious person. My contact allegedly had a bit of difficulty getting compensation out of the police for the damage to the car.

1987 Reading v Derby. I was walking to the railway station after the game and heard a policeman say something very similiar to 'look at those Derby fans coming out of the stadium , they are animals' I told him they were well behaved and that he was mistaken. His reply was 'I suggest you move on sir' That was a very cerebral reply, don't you think?

This is not a rant at the police merely an article stimulated by the latest reports in the media concerning the recent G20 demonstration in London. I find it worrying. Police are our servants not masters. A newspaper  took that last phrase right out of my mouth.

Actually the great majority of police staff are doing highly commendable work. They are prepared to do tasks that a lot of people would not contemplate; tasks that require various qualities such as  sensitivity,  intelligence, courage, patience and a lot more. So whilst I can dredge up a few alleged aspects of unsatisfactory  police behaviour we could not do without them. We should be thankful for the great number of commendable deeds  they perform - day in day out.

WB

Road To Durham

Radio 4 - 2.30pm TODAY- The Saturday Play:

The Radio Times tells us that the Bevin Boys were a largely ignored group of 18 year olds when their names were picked out of a hat towards the end of the Second World War.They were sent down the mines instead of joining the forces. See page 121 of the current Radio Times - sounds like it will be an interesting play. Some of the action takes place at the Durham Miners' Gala.

So - get your 'wireless' sorted - forget 'Journey Into Space' and hopefully have a profitable hour listening in to Road to Durham.

WB

Looking Foward to 2089

This post is an experiment and experiments with chemistry can be dangerous. My vision of 2089 created by the brainstorming method is:

Flying people become common place by means of computerised machines. Collisions are almost impossible.

Every town and village has nominated farms producing wholesome food. The number of farms is dependent upon the size of each place.

Local professional football leagues are back thus reducing  travel miles. Sixteen in all. The champions of each of those leagues then meet in a knock out competition called the FA Cup.

All exotic financial instruments banned/criminalized by the Streamlined Financial Simplicity Board [SFSB]

Stylish beards are now the norm

Stats are produced and fully publized that show the details of 'charity giving' by all people earning the new maximum annual salary of 300k [2009 equivalent 100k]

All religious denominations to meet under one  roof. Each religion is provided with a room of their own within that building. Not unlike Woolworth's pick and mix

All night shift work banned on health grounds. The CBI do not like this latest move

All awards other than the VC  and GC are banned thus causing uproar

Political Correctness revised and diluted

Supermarkets nationalized but profits down

Drug companies cannot refuse to produce a drug if the Liberal Goverment insist upon its production

Astrologers pilloried in the stocks

Vince Cable awarded the VCGC - a cross between the VC and the GC

West Auckland win the World Cup for the THIRD time - beating West Germany 4-2

Eastenders replaced by a new soap called "Laughter Makes You Live Longer'

WB

They Moved About

In 1901 Matthew Gibson was a 63 year old retired miner living in South View, Ushaw Moor, with his wife Louisa. Louisa was a year younger than her husband. Matthew was born in South Shields whereas Louisa was born in a more exotic place - Prussia - if I read it correctly!

Their son Richard was born in Ryhope. Another son, Joseph, was born in East Castle, Durham, further son Matthew was born in Greencroft [Stanley/South Moor?]. The youngest child, a daughter, Alloysess [?] was born in Quebec [not Canadian version].

Meanwhile in George Street we had George Appleby and his wife Thomason. He was born in Brandon and she was born in Hetton Le Hole. Their family:

Richard born Langley Moor

Elizabeth born Langley Moor

William born Sacriston

Catherine born Langley Moor

George born Broompark

Do these names mean anything to anyone?

WB

A Certain Image

I imagine that memories section bloggers have a certain image. Maybe some people think that we look back because there is little to look forward to. Expletive. We look back, live for now, and anticipate the future. But what sort of future? I love that last sentence. I went years making sure that I never started a sentence with And or But. But I no longer worry about it. Finer writers than me are at it all the time. Rebels together!

 

If I am lucky enough to be in an old peoples’ home in 2032, with marbles in place, I will ensure that the place is not boring. I will need help of course but I will no doubt get that from a friend that I have yet to meet.  

 

WB

Let's Get Physical

Much of the information within this article is already spread around the site so it is just a case of pulling these experiences of mine together. They do not reflect particularly well on me but I do not mind playing the clown for a while in the hope that another author turns up on site:

 

C1952  New Brancepeth Primary School 50 yard dash – winning at the 40 yard post but thinking that was the finishing line - I finished unplaced.

 

1958 In dreadful pain on the hallowed [!] Bracken Court turf attempting a run against a Stoddart/Ferguson team I stumbled and somehow my bat dug into my knee. A nice couple on the corner of the semi circle – if you like coming from the Whitehouse Court area - heard my scream and patched me up. I still have the scar. Semi circle? Is it a semi circle?

 

1958 During a game of rounders I ran down the hillock at Ushaw Moor Sec Mod, like a pill…. and dived full length to catch the ball. Not really knowing the rules of rounders the brilliant catch – for that is what it was – meant nothing. I felt like, and was, an idiot.

 

1968 Hit in the testi…., whilst playing at second slip in a Tyneside Senior League cricket match. I nevertheless held on to the ball and called for a handkerchief to wipe my eyes as well as a drink of water. The batsman was given out caught while I lay there feeling quite ill.

 

1969 Two events that year. I smashed my head against a bath tap when attempting to get out of the bath – very lucky actually – some people die in such instances. In the same year, outside a pub whilst talking to a friend, I suffered an unprovoked attack by a coward.He had hit me on the head from behind. I spun round to challenge what was probably a drunken idiot but my friend, and opening bowler, pointed out that it was, I think, five to two against. I went and bought some fish and chips.

 

C1998 While on holiday my young son accidentally hit me on the head with a golf club. I was taken to hospital by ambulance and it seems that I again got away with it.

 

WB

 

 

 

 

Education Education Education?

I get the distinct impression that for many decades after the beginning of the 20^th century employers were almost invariably disorganized and dim in their approach to motivating employees. Take the National Coal Board’s wages department in Workington as an example. When I joined it in 1961 there was no induction worth talking about. There was no encouragement to improve my education. There were no performance reviews. Training was no more than a smattering of the ‘hands on’ variety. I suppose management theory was in its infancy. The National Examinations Board for Supervisory Studies [Nebss] came in as late as c1964 and was perhaps recognition of the need to treat workers in a more professional manner. It seemed to dawn on many employers that if they treated staff properly they could improve output and hopefully profits.

 

Whilst Nebss was a promising innovation further education seemed very poor in the 60s. They were not the days of lifelong learning. GCE teaching of ‘second chancers’ in local colleges was often second rate; it was unnecessarily dull.

 

Going further back - our English teacher at Ushaw Moor could have, and ought to have, lit up ‘Lord of the Flies’. He had an opportunity to catch our imagination. After all there were a lot of bright pupils in our class but they were somewhat short changed. Harry Barlow was an exceptionally good teacher but even so it seems we were not trusted to learn mathematics, other than its arithmetical content.

 

But where is this article leading us? I am so positive about the provision for youngsters these days. The facilities for advancement are plentiful but sadly not all are grasping the available opportunities. I imagine that the current crop of Deerness Valley youngsters is a very mixed bunch. Some will be literate and confident whilst others might be struggling to form many coherent sentences. I am not an educationalist but could it be that some parents have low aspirations for their children? Does Ushaw Moor need a Mr/Mrs Motivator in order to maximize the potential of ALL of its children? David Beckham and Co have their place but so does a well chosen book that is read with insight and enthusiasm.  Good Book 2 Beckham 1.

 

WB

That's Easter Over

Well that’s Easter over. I imagine that most people have a need for spirituality but I will probably only get it by virtue of the Rambling Association. Listening to the Chief Rabbi, Catholic Archbishop, and the Archbishop of Canterbury fills me with despair. Canterbury has the cheek to tell me that there is a current fascination with the lives of monks and nuns that may draw me into their way of living. There is no chance of that happening Archbishop.

 

My main memory of last week was my internal rehearsing of a speech that is likely to be needed in the not too distant future. Such contemplation needs to be done in tranquil surroundings, like a canal towpath, and that is exactly where it was done. The start sounds promising:

“Hello and welcome to……

There are two schools of thought about my speech making. The first school thinks I am witty, informative and entertaining. The second school winces and puts fingers in ears. Well today I am going to take the middle ground…..”

 

Yes that ought to make them sit up.

 

It is Alf that should post an article about pigeons. He is an authority. From what I recall there is a very prominent Belgian pigeon fancier, cum breeder, that he can write about. What about WW1? Is it the case that pigeons were used as a means of communication during that war?

 

I am truly astonished that someone as bright and well educated as Tony Blair can hold such bizarre views of the next world. And this is despite the benefit of a comparatively recent Oxford University education. It would not ordinarily annoy me were it not for the fact that he has so many people wishing to listen to him. It does reinforce what I already know - that we should not be overawed by the Establishment but should think for ourselves. 

 

I am pleased with the sum total of this site. It gives some coherent history of the village rather than just bits and pieces. Although my article today is chatty I really do need to introduce further history and memories of the village. I am not a paid journalist although sometimes I probably have the appearance of a provincial hack. I need to get my house in order to please the likes of Alf. Now Alf about those pigeons….

 

WB

 

April 1959 And Other Bits

April 11th 1959 was a big day for eleven young Ushaw Moor lads who took on league champions Waterhouses Modern and out played them. The full report is on site so I will not dwell on that. Playing in that cup final has however heightened my memory of that day. I recall that Sunderland were in the Second Division and drew at home to  Rotherham United. Newcastle earned a point in an entertaining draw at WBA and Derby County were sunk 0-3 at home to Middlesbrough. I also recall that on that day Glasgow Rangers lost at, I believe, Hearts. I think it was the 'Limp Along Leslie' connection that has helped me to recall that. Leslie had a limp and a sheep dog according to The Wizard boys magazine; he always enthralled me with his wing play for Rangers, as did Bouncing Briggs, a goalie that never conceded a goal whilst playing in the English League. Briggs should be in goal today for Derby, at Sheffield Wednesday, even though Derby's Bywater is a good goalie in his own right.

The weather in Ushaw Moor and Bearpark was quite good exactly 50 years ago today. I recall a slight breeze and a pale sun. There was no rain. I imagine it was the same for Sleetburn.

50 years plus a handful of days ago Ushaw Moor Modern School opened. Again there are several references to that on site so I will not dwell.  I always think of CV's when I recall the school. Lovely school - lovely form 4A - but not much good for the old CV. I believe that one old boy, I have forgotten his name, called it Deerness Valley Comprehensive on his CV - but of course that might have been a memory problem rather than a self conscious minor transgression. Which brings me onto its current name. I admire the current school's efforts to try and transform the attitude and fortunes of Ushaw Moor's young -  but the school name is beyond my understanding. Durham Community Business College? Am I correct in believing that is its current name? Right/whatever - as my kids might have said a few years ago. 

WB

Easter Quiz

So how attentive have you been? How good is your memory? Let's see with this weather busting mini quiz. Is it shining or raining up there?

Q1 What illness caused Tot Hope's demise?

Q2 Bill and Peggy Gray had one child. What was his name?

Q3 Who was the manager of New Brancepeth pit in 1950?

Q4 There is a brilliant description of the Durham Miners' Gala on site. Who was the author?

Q5 Who murdered Thomas Pyle in 1882?

Q6 Which team did Ushaw Moor Cricket Club play in an effort for the Morrison Pit Relief Fund in1947?

Q7 What was Pudding Henderson's home used for - apart from being a home?

Q8 Sleetburn's excellent coking coal supplied the Cochrane  iron works at......?

Q9 In terms of sporting achievements what have Sally Rawlings, Joanne Pipe and Julie Mayhew got in common?

Q10 In which year was Harry Barlow born?

7-10 correct Brilliant

6 Credit due

5 Pass

1-4 Back to the drawing board

WB

Durham Technical College 1 Sacriston Juniors 6

I played for the college that day back in the autumn of 1960. It was my best game ever - for any team. Doddery I am not - illustrious footballer I am not.

I played in the left full back position that day and althought Sacriston's right winger was a handful he never once got past me. The unusual thing about it was that I had to resort to sliding tackles to disposess him. It must have been 9/9 successful sliding tackles - all into touch. The ball that is.

About ten minutes before the following week's game I was told '" a manager has come especially to watch you play'" I thought big  and grand- Charlie Mitten - it must be Charlie Mitten the Newcastle United manager. Actually I was a bit unnerved by that news and certainly did not play as well as I had done the previous week. It turned out that the manager concerned was the Sacriston Juniors manager! 

This article, whilst  a true one, is just a filler until YOU post an article. I love this site but I also fear for it. I cannot go on much longer owing to commitments but think it so important that articles flow. We surely do not want to see the memories section - like so many sites elsewhere - grind to a standstill - or virtual standstill. Words are fun. Memories can be fun. History is important. Heritage is important. There are grand  people out there with a thirst for your knowledge of the village - not forgetting dear old Sleetburn. Your site needs you. What did you do in the memories site war daddy?

It's ok - I have not lost my marbles I am currently studying WW1.Vera Brittain - what a grand woman she was.

WB

Ian Maguire And His Dad

At least I think his first name was Ian. I recall him as being an intelligent, slightly built, and quietly spoken lad. He attended Ushaw Moor Secondary Modern in the early 1960s. I have an idea that he played for the school's intermediate football side  and recall that he took some interest in the school's first team.

His father was Teddy Maguire [1917-1990]. Teddy was a fine footballer and  played for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 1939 FA Cup Final. In the final Portsmouth were very much the underdogs but on the day Wolves were well beaten. Teddy's other clubs were Willington, Swindon Town, Halifax Town and Spennymoor United. I know that Soccer Gleghorn had a spell with Spennymor United so perhaps they were briefly team mates - although  maybe not as they were both wingers.  

WB

So What Happened To The Piano?

I can only recall one old traditional pub singalong. It was back in c1952 in the heart of Sleetburn. Once the beer had done its job out would come the old songs. What was I doing there, being well under age? Goodness only knows. Perhaps it involved a family celebration. How often do we hear a piano being played in a pub these days? I suppose television did for it. Not that it bothers me unduly. Have you a view?

On a different level - but dwelling on the same subject - I wonder what happened to the piano that my mother was promised on the demise of her grandmother. She deserved that piano. For years, as was frequently the way then in mining communities, she acted as a young assistant [semi servant?] to her grandparent. I am confident that lots of families have minor skeletons in their lockers - well one of ours was that piano!

Should I be exhibiting that particular piece of family history in such painful detail? I say - why not? It was perhaps too often the way in those days that less than noble behaviour occured somewhere in the extended family. I imagine that we were a 'normal'  family!

Sometimes it's deathly quiet on this site. I suppose  the word death came to mind because of my current lecture studies taken from the Yale University facility. Speaking of that has ANYONE gone in and used it?

WB

Memories

This article has a very brief and simple title, but it is not a simple subject. What are memories? What uses do they have? Can they be trusted? I wish to explore it with you because [1] it is a complex subject and [2] I am not an expert.

We know that memories are retained by the brain. If that were not the case we would forget how to do the most simple tasks as well as very difficult ones. In short we could not function! Do you agree that memories can be selective? The sun did NOT always shine in 40s and 50s Ushaw Moor. It often rained!

People sometimes try to block out dreadful memories and it is known that occasionally they succeed. Apart from blocking there might be inaccurate memories. An example might be my experience when playing against Shotley Bridge Cricket Club. For decades I have been able to 'recall'  that I was conned out by its wicketkeeper. I was always good at knowing where my off stump was and I know for a 'fact' that the bowler did not hit that stump. When the keeper shouted well done to the bowler - he cheated. The ball had hit his pads and then hit the wicket. But is my version correct? Yes it bleeding is! 

Last year I was awarded a distinction for a history essay. That gave me a sort of  breezy confidence. The fact that for years I have been hopeless at reverse parking has been blocked and located in the VERY deepest part of my brain - only coming to the surface a few moments ago.  

In 1979 I lived in London. A friend invited me to his home in Bolton. The plan was to take in the Bolton Wanderers v Derby County game the following day. He had only recently moved to Bolton. He gave me his address - something like Blackburn Road. By the time I got to Bolton I could not remember the name of the road. Was it Bolton Road? Perhaps it was Bury Road. What about Blackpool Road? I suppose it could have been Preston Road.  If I told you that I never even got to the match you would not believe me, so I will not claim that.

Golden memories are important. Can you imagine being very elderly and realising that not only had you achieved very little but also that you had little in the way of good memories. I do not intend to allow that to happen to me. 

If you would like to comment on this article, or have found aspects of it disturbing, by all means make your comment. I am big enough to take your mirth or ribbing.

WB

Laura Meier Moved From Ushaw Moor

Clearly she moved a very long time ago and was seemingly called Laura Richardson at the time. Her story was recently published in a paper called The Sentinel - which covers Staffordshire and more. To read her story just type in a Google search as follows: Laura Meier Ushaw Moor - you will see it as the top entry. You do not need to www...!

WB

Chatting With Doreen Carse [Hope]

My aunt Doreen mentioned that she worked at Langley Moor laundry at one time and that Peggy Hendry was a fellow worker and  resident of Ushaw Moor. Doreen's role there was in the packing and complaints department, which was done from a little office at the bottom of the main room.

We had a little laugh about bridesmaids. Her sister, my aunt Ethel, worked at Brough's after WW2 and married my uncle to be, Arthur Hodgson, in 1950. Her dilemma was the  task of tactfully selecting bridesmaids. She had a wide choice to pick from and in the end she seemed to select just about every lady employee at Brough's! Some  names of bridesmaids: Jenny Bainbridge, Doreen Hope, Audrey Swales [Doreen is almost sure of that], Freda Thirkell, Barbara Bradley,  Enid ... X and someone called Rayner. 

As for Doreen's bridesmaids in 1953 she had: Isabel Parkinson from Bearpark, Winny Hughes, Valerie Bainbridge and Enid Parker.

Now there - we have some considerable name dropping. Do any of the names ring a bell?

WB

School Reunion 2002

It was an idea that developed from the 'little illustrated book'  I produced in 2001 to celebrate some of the 1959/60 experiences of form 4a [and others] at Ushaw Moor Modern both during and after school days. It was not an easy event to organise especially as I was doing it from the south east of England. I had hinted that it would take a couple of people, situated in the North East, to ensure a good job but  that help did not materialise; that is not a criticism merely an observation. It took place in a Brandon pub and the food was fine albeit  we started to consume it rather late in the afternoon!

Sticking with maiden names we had Audrey Thompson flying up from the south and not looking a day over forty. Two of our more lively pupils Edith Smith and Pauline [senior moment - I know Pauline's married name] attended and were full of life and vitality; they were a joy to talk to.

Big Malcolm Gibb was there and as rational and friendly as ever. I say big, and frequently refer to him as the gentle giant, but hasten to add that he is a finely built man of reasonable proportions not a candidate for a circus!

Margaret Ayre attended and fully contributed to the event and by that I do not mean that she swung from chandeliers - I suppose she might have done had there been any. No that is not right she is far too dignified, sensible and friendly.

It was a pleasure to see John Vasey again and he still takes a good photograph, even after an interval of forty nine and more years.

Then it happened! No not the arrival of Barack Obama - rather it was Harry Barlow. Both Edith and Pauline were especially thrilled to see him and both showed it and said it! It was also a pleasure to see his wife Betty who has also been a teacher at the school. Wallace Hayton arrived at the same time as Harry and Betty and I recall his kindness and dignity.

 The only sex education I recall at school was one formal lesson that Betty gave us. It did not amount to much - something along the lines that 'when you get a bit older you will experience a surge of interest in the opposite sex. Thanks Betty.

Towards the end we had flash bulb time; that is to say our photographic session. It really was like Blackpool Illuminations or a film premiere. Several people were clearly reluctant to go home and wished to savour every last drop of the event - that was good to see. 

I have not mentioned everyone of the attendees but it was grand to see them all. They all grew up rather well and many achieved positions of significant responsibility which is pleasing to know. 

WB

Yale University Comes To Ushaw Moor

What has Yale got to do with Ushaw Moor and in particular the memories section? That is a  reasonable question! For the moment let us talk about eternity. Were you one of the many people who got caught with a parking fine in 1953 because of your attendance at the film 'From Here To Eternity?' Lots of people did get caught. Durham City simply did not have the parking facilities to enable all drivers to park legally. It really was a popular film  in the 50s. It starred Burt Lancaster [1913-1994] Montgomery Clift [1920-1966] Deborah Kerr [1921-1998] Frank Sinatra [1915-1998] and one or two more. 

Sticking with eternity, and getting back to Yale, I would like you to consider immortality, which of course is closely linked to eternity. By going into the Internet, and listening to [and seeing] Professor Shelly Kagan of Yale University, you can think further about the past and the future. It is a level 1 university course and therefore, in my opinion, within the comfort range of both the mature average  brain and the younger keen set. You can get to it by putting the two words - Academic Earth - into Google's general search box [forget www. etc]. Once in click on the subject philosophy [from the left hand side subject choices]. Then click on lecture 19.

Lecture 19 begins with an exploration of the question of whether it is desirable to live for ever under the right circumstances, and turns to consideration of some alternative theories of the nature of well being. What makes life worth living? The lecture explores it in a fairly straight forward way.

My preconceived views entirely matched those of Professor Kagan and for that I am thrilled!  Do not be put off by the fact that it is a Yale University lecture. Professor Kagan is a brilliant lecturer and  even if you have not studied at university level, or GCE A level, you will understand him!

Wilfie Bell brings free Yale University lectures to your attention  - a prestigious American university!  Who would have believed that possible when back in 1960  the Government felt the majority of Ushaw Moor scholars could cope with little more than domestic science, woodwork and such like.  

For me immortality is dross! I do not want to live for ever! I will  now leave you to Professor Kagan. At least I hope you give him a whirl. If by the way you are already familiar with the site I apologise for wasting your time. Some feedback from you would be nice! 

WB

The Foulsham Sisters And The Pit

Several people have telephoned me in astonishment regarding the news about Ushaw Moor Colliery. Since the article was published the Foulsham family have further commented. May and June Foulsham have a sister [I think she was in form 4B when I was at school] called April. April seemed to know more about it - so contact April Foulsham for more details - she lives in Whitehouse Court.

WB

Ushaw Moor Colliery To Reopen In 2011?

In the light of an increase in world wide coal prices a feasibility study was commissioned in 2008 to establish whether it was viable to reopen some UK coal mines. The findings of the study are due out next week and it is widely expected that it will recommend the reopening of Ushaw Moor Colliery in 2011. Superficially it seems a good idea to reopen the pit, because of the current over reliance on expensive foreign energy sources, such as gas, but bearing in mind the state of the UK economy can the reopening of Ushaw Moor Colliery be afforded? There are several other pressing questions, for example: [1] How will the coal be transported away from the village? [2] Will miners be drawn from the current pool of unemployed young people in Ushaw Moor? [3] Where will miners be housed? [4] Will the colliery have pithead baths? I spoke to June Foulsham of Whitehouse Court and she went ballistic on hearing that Ushaw Moor pit might reopen. Her sister May was not impressed either. Their main concerns were the inevitable noise, dirt and danger aspects associated with coal mining. I can only draw the conclusion that it should not happen: it is a backward step that will bring back danger and noise into the village – the Foulsham sisters are right. I am baffled because my understanding is that Ushaw Moor was not mothballed! How can it be feasible to reopen the pit?

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