Black Diamond

BLACK DIAMOND - STORY BEHIND THE SONG:

My Grandad, Tom Noble, should have been killed at about 05.00am on 29 May 1951. He wasn't, but his brother, Bob, was and so were 82 more people on that grim morning.

At 4.45am on 29 May 1951, the night shift at Easington Colliery, County Durham, were at the end of their shift and the fore shift men were just coming down to start theirs. A spark at the coalface ignited a pocket of gas and the blast lifted coal dust which fuelled an explosion creating a fire ball which smashed and scorched its way through 16,000 yards of underground workings killing everyone down there.

The twist with me was my Grandad was very much alive. He was due to go down the pit on the early morning shift but he had been out for a couple of beers the night before and he was feeling "unwell" - you can guess why.

His brother, Bob, came and called him to "go by", Grandad told him he was sick and he couldn't go - but his brother did. I used to be taken as a child to the memorial and look at all the names and point out my Grandad's brother.

The pit was closed in the 80s - and the village is a bit of ghost town now - but these memories remain.

Last time I was there, I went to see my Grandad in his miners cottage - just walked in through the back door - no need to knock - I don't suppose the door had ever been locked since the day the house was built. We had a chat while he smoked his Woodbines and interrogated me about life in London and if I was behaving myself (something he had done all his life). After awhile, he seemed satisfied that I was not squandering my life away, and he allowed me to give him a lift up the road to his local (the same pub he had a few beers in on the night of 28 May 1951). I took him up and dropped him off for his few pints. The pub was still there, pretty much un-changed. A lump of coal hanging outside in place of a sign. And the proud name above - "The Black Diamond".

My Grandad disappeared inside, content I was doing ok. I looked at the name of the pub and gazed around and thought it was maybe best I wrote this story down. My Grandad never got to hear the song. It's a shame, because when he had had a few beers he fancied himself as Bing Crosby. I am sure he would have sung along. Still, I have my memories of him taking me hunting bears (I never actually saw one, he saw lots) him tickling trout, searching for pirates treasure and camping and climbing mountains in the lake district. And also of him sitting in the tin bath in front of the fire having a good scrub on Friday nights before nipping off to the Diamond for a few beers. If he hadn't had a few beers on 28 May 1951, I would have had a much poorer childhood.

This recording of the song is by The Blue Bishops from their forth-coming album, In The Red. Produced by John Leckie and Stuie Epps and mastered at Abbey Road studios, the album and Black Diamond, features guest keyboards from Rod Argent. For more info on The Blue Bishops go to www.myspace.com/bluebishops

Many thanks for listening and watching

Graeme Wheatley

Category:

Music

Tags:

• music

[Spratmac8]

Great song, moving video. Respect to Tom Noble and all the other Easington 'moles' who dug the black diamonds

[LittleDevilVideos]

@Spratmac8 - thanks for the comment - glad you like the video. The song was played on Radio 2 by Paul Jones last month and I am hoping that more people will get to hear it soon. Best wishes - Graeme

[copperpott]

Have been searching for this song for months now, since my pa saw an article in the hartlepool mail. very glad i've finally found it! my name is John Noble great grandson of said Bob Noble and it's great to finally hear this tribute. cheers

[LittleDevilVideos]

Hi and thanks.

I guess we are related! I am Thomas Noble's grandson. I was taken as a child, almost every Sunday morning to the memorial to look at Grandad's brother's name. It took many years before the song came out - glad you like it. I can send you a CD if you want? Not sure where you live - but for one week only - my sister is staying with relatives in Blackhall - if you are near?

All the best, Graeme

[Jazzawray]

this is very very good , some great photos of Easington , never a pretty place but a strong community none the less , shame its in such a state now !, i still love the place though !

[LittleDevilVideos]

Thanks for watching - really glad you liked it - it took such a long time from writing the song to get to this point! It's worth it tho - and as a musician that's something to learn - you don't leave things forever. Maybe that's true for Easington too.

Best wishes

Graeme

[caahacky]

Hi Graeme, thanks for the story - and the song. Both my granda's were Durham miners (Horden and Craghead) their stories should not be forgotten.

Best Regards

[LittleDevilVideos]

@InternetTG - dunno - but this is basically a true story. My Grandad survived, his brother was killed in the blast. My Grandad survived because the night before, he had been out for a drink and wasn't feeling to good. He put it down to a bad pint - obviously - a GOOD pint! The name of the pub was The Black Diamond.

Hope u like the song - please pass it on! Thanks Graeme

[Jazzawray]

Graeme i can tell that like me you love the place, perhaps when youve made your first million you can pop back, reopen the schools and turn them into recording studios and also re open the Diamond !!

now that would be an achievement, all the best mick wray