GRIMETHORPE COLLIERY BAND PLAYS GRESFORD (THE MINERS HYMN)

[TedRob1958]

The miners of Britain were of a special breed, let us not forget that the miners of Gresford were also in a Welsh pit and that their sacrifice was given for the sake of a wider Britain. My gran lost five first cousins in this disaster, I have at least one living relative who was there on the day as a lamp boy. My great grandad died in Black Park, Chirk. My great uncle died in Naomi Philedelphia. Don't let us forget the men who toil beneath the ground, let us bow and thank God we are not there.

[Cotti30609]

My lovely dad wasn't a miner but a coal delivery lad in the 40s,50s & 60s. No health and safety then and he died of coal dust related disease. So moving this hymn and we are going today to pay respect at the memorial in Gresford.

[24101479]

A very moving hymn. My uncle was killed in the pit and my dad seriously injured. He never went underground again. RIP.

[willspires100]

We who honor labor across the pond keep this memory green as well.

[ithecosmo]

Loftus, I heard the Soul Music progamme this morning too. It was simple and superb radio, and your moving contribution to it made me think of my own Dad - not a miner but a fireman - and how sad it was when we lost him, 15 years ago this year. I wasn't familiar with this lovely song before today, but hearing it and the stories all of you told, well....I believe there's far too much cod emotion around these days, but I shouldn't wish to know anybody who didn't feel tears in their eyes after that.

[bryantrosie]

@loftustiger was that you on the radio this morning on Soul Music on Radio 4? what an amazing tune. It does bring tears to the eyes.

[maidofthenorth]

I was born in London, more years ago than I care to remember. I moved to Co Durham nearly seven years ago and whilst I have always loved industrial history and the Old Labour Party (none of this 'NEW labour for me!) since coming to the NE I have really begun to understand how the miners of this country toiled and suffered to make this country rich. And for what? To be discarded like a pile of rubbish. Maggie has a lot to answer for.

[RockstarDvil]

Durham Miners' Gala makes me so proud to be from the north-east, and this hymn evokes all of that, tempered with sorrow for the Gresford disaster. Just amazing.

[loftustiger]

it was my Dads favourite piece and would bring tears to his eyes when they played it at Durham Cathedral during the Miners Gala, as an old Labour and Trade Unionist, what could we do but play it during his funeral service, last February, brings tears to my eyes now as well.

[cinnamonjeremy]

Saw the fantastic Pitmen Painters in Newcastle last night - after many laughs throughout, not a dry eye in the house when the show ended with the cast singing Gresford! The Brass Band playing this tune never fails to bring me to tears. I was brought up in a coal mining village only 3 miles from Ashington, it was only in later life that I came to appreciate our true mining heritage - Ashington Group of Painters, brass bands; banners and not least the community spirit we took for granted!

[msmousette]

Wonderful! I made this video that tells more about the tragedy:

The Gresford Disaster - Sept 22nd 1934 - will have to post "video response" separately.

[MatlockJack]

Some beautiful filming shots in this video BTW, I've been playing it all day

[MatlockJack]

I saw the 'Pitmen Painters' play in Sheffield a few years back and they used this hymn to close the show, with the whole house in tears.

[PumbaMFK]

Truly amazing, what a wonderful, emotional piece of music. I've carried the National Union of Miners Area Banner in Durham Miner's Gala for the past 3 years now, and the turn out still never fails to astound me. Such great support for all those who worked in the mines, not just in the North East, but throughout the country. I'll certainly remember those who lost their lives for this cause. I hope you all share the same rememberance! :)

[SuperTrevorScott]

it's not the horns that make thi hymn tune but thre bass section that add the emotion to the piece

[MRDRWWILLIAMS]

@SuperTrevorScott

As a BBb bass player, I agree wholeheartedly.

[nuafc]

Thank you - Gressford means so much to those of us with coaldust in the veins.

[elegantpuss]

@nuafc Incredibly moving music, even though the nearest I have come to coal dust was our open fire when I was a child. Both the band, and the music evoke the whole spirit of all coal miners and this piece moves me to tears partially because of memories of coal mining disasters but also the fight all UK miners had in the 80s with Margaret Hilda Thatcher to try to save their livelihoods. May their courage and bravery never be forgotten by the people of this nation.

[albumania]

Extraordinarily moving. Only horns can do this sort of music justice.

[cantankero]

@albumania

Couldn't agree more. It's all so humbling, somehow.