At Least Ushaw Moor Is Built Upon Sweat And Good Character

More or less from the second half of the 19th century, until 1960, Ushaw Moor's economy relied almost entirely on King Coal, the muscle and brawn of its miners, and its  women. The men worked hard in conditions of great danger and dirt whilst the women looked after the children, the cleaning and  the cooking etc. There was a lot of etc. because although a woman's tasks were many she had little in the way of modern conveniences [until the 50s] to ease her day.

During the 50s and 60s mining suffered from competition from oil, as well as the threat from natural gas and nuclear power, and consequently there were many mine closures .Some villages were devastated while others, including Ushaw Moor, turned out rather better despite pit closure. 

For many  generations the people of this unpretentious village have done their best - but when you look further a field there is a darkside; the reputation of many of those representing us in Parliament is in virtual tatters; the Catholic Church's authority is in tatters, and the politics of food labelling look unsavoury. Much worse than all of that is the opposition to climate change science; the great denial by some that might mean the premature end for our great [?]  grandchildren.

 Looking to the USA for inspiritation can disappoint. A potentially great president is being harried by  Republican opposition that sometimes has the appearance of insanity, when at its worst, and an opposition that lacks vision at its best. Please do not mention hockey sticks and lipstick in my earshot.  

As individuals I suppose  all we can do is to continue to live our lives with integrity, love our family, respect our neighbours, sharpen our minds to injustice, use our democratic muscle, however flabby, and try and ensure that our children reach their educational potential - in the hope that the good that is in the world wins out against the darkside.

WB