Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
A reading of this play (details below) will be performed at the Welfare Club & Social Institute, Cowdray Square, Deal, CT14 9EU. Thursday 28th July 2011 at 7.30pm.
Open to members and non-members, all welcome.
Edinburgh Festival 2011 - "DUST"
At the New Town Theatre in Edinburgh's George Street, the repercussions of an event that many expect but none can predict are playing out.
It is the day of Margaret Thatcher's death. In his flat in London's Barbican, miners' leader Arthur Scargill reacts to the news that his old adversary has gone.
As they reflect on battles past, Scargill and his publisher have a visitor - an ageing militant miner with his own take on Scargill's controversial legacy. In a Britain partly shaped by their actions, fierce old fighters slug it out over the dust of history. Meanwhile, in Doncaster, a pregnant young woman stares at recession-hit Britain. The catalyst of Margaret Thatcher's death triggers a series of events and reflections that go right back to the 1920s, the General Strike and another Arthur - miners' union leader Arthur Cook. Meanwhile in Yorkshire, a young couple face unemployment - even today, the threat has not subsided.
From the award-winning Quidem team of broadcast producer Ralph Bernard and acclaimed writer/director Ade Morris comes this passionate, humorous, tragic snapshot of 2011. 'DUST' has been 30 years in gestation - Ralph Bernard researched the coal industry and interviewed Arthur Scargill for a series of radio documentaries in the early 1980s, and the idea of a stage play about Scargill's place in history has been fermenting ever since. Ralph moved from production into radio management, culminating in the position of Chief Executive of the UK's largest commercial radio company. He remains chairman of Classic FM, and of the British Lung Foundation - a role he took on after learning of the dire health consequences of the mining industry.
He also served as Chief Executive of the Royal Albert Hall, and has now established Quidem as a focus for creative work, owning 6 radio stations in the Midlands. 'DUST' is the company's first stage play.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
sounds rather worthy gary, but to be perfectly blunt i am at a loss as to where the laughs will come in.
Perhaps it will be the last laugh when we tramp the dirt down.....?
Guest 716- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 4,010
Having spent a sabbatical at London Business School in 1975 during my Presidency the dinner guest was Mr Scargill.A passionate and determined man his speech in such company was provocative but well received.
Having spent my career in the Oil and Petro-Chemical industry my interest in Coal was kindled that night.My research todate indicates that one day we will be using the millions of tonnes of coal we still have in East Kent.A tragic legacy left to us by Mrs Thatcher.
Looking forward to hearing the reading of Dust.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
This is a very interesting scenario that I am sure many people, not just miners, have been preparing for over the last few years, without truly knowing what their reactions will really be?
As for humour, there will always be funny moments when you bring old mining characters into the equation.
The coal beneath our feet will have to be used one day.
The Kent Miner tried his best to protect its profitable mines from closure for the sake of his family and the people in Kent.
Thatcher and her henchmen, decided to close our mines, to have stronger control over our unions.
The consequences and devastation that has continued, due to closing our entire Coalfield, was ignored and is still treated with utter contempt, even by some today.
These people have no conscience.
I have watched many miners die through eating Dust, including my Father.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Gary I support moist what you do and say but that last post about Mrs Thatcher is out of order mate and I think that last part of your post five should be taken off.My own Dad died at the age of 51 still working at the DEW also a place where alot of hot dust was always in the air,I also worked there ten years.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
you are right vic, i have edited out the last line.
Guest 683- Registered: 11 Feb 2009
- Posts: 1,052
Gary
I hope to be there and will pass this around my friends too. Don't know what you said about Thatcher but it can't ever have been bad enough!!!!!
I repeat: when we tramp the dirt down........
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
Howard & Vic.
You were wrong to remove the end of my last post
I have no problem with what I said, you need to remember past posts that were far worse and not removed.
To take offence to me saying I will celebrate someone's death and remove it from this thread is wrong.
I celebrated when my father died because it ended his suffering.
If I am going to be censored like this, then I will not take any further part in this forum.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
GaryC, it matters that you do continue - it would be a poor forum if there were not a proper diversity of opinions. And for what it's worth I remember the day one of my children came home when they were at Primary School and told me she had told her teachers that "Mummy said she was having a party when Thatcher died".........
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Obviously being a Conservative and an admirer of Margaret Thatcher, I don't find it all good taste that people should celebrate her death, which, perhaps I should remind people, hasn't happened yet.
Arthur Scargill was as much to blame for closing the mines as anyone, more so perhaps, but your views are always dependant on what side of the fence you are on.
It was a very emotive period back then. To my mind, closing the pits wasn't the worst thing (my Dad worked down the mines in Lancashire from when he was 14 to 20 and said it was the worst job anyone could do), the (apparant) lack of care afterwards perhaps and no retraining for any kind of work, meant than many communities were dying on their feet and no future.
Steve Manion, DDC Councillor has managed to secure many millions for coal-field communities, that otherwise may not have come here.
Not all Conservatives are bad; not all Labour are good - and vice versa.
Roger
Roger - I can only agree with your last sentence!
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
Roger.
Your post is exactly what I find offensive and so blinkered.
When Maggie goes and you do not have to remind me that she is still here, I will send her on her way with a pint and a few personnel words. I am not a barbaric neanderthal, I am just an ordinary ex Kent Miner.
I was not sat on a fence when our mines were being closed, so I know a damn site more about the facts than you did or do so even now.
Yes, working down the mine's was a terrible job and it took a certain calibre of man to take on what was a hard and dangerous occupation but it would have been ten times worse if our fathers and grand fathers had not fought for better condition's for us to take over when their day was done,
You would call that "militancy", we knew that to be "pride and concern" from very brave people who cared not for themselves but for others who would follow in their footsteps.
It is time you looked at the content of the threads and absorb what is actually being said, instead of dismissing everything as rubbish coming from the other side,you might actually learn something.
Steve Manion, is a friend that I have been very happy to work with over the last few years and I have many other friends who vote Tory, I take people for who they are not for who they vote for and I do not need you to point people like Steve, out to me.
I have even congratulated you on several occasions over your passion for Dover and told people they should get behind you and work together with you.
It is a shame you feel the need the point out good and bad in everyone, because again you need to look closer to home with tarring everyone with the same brush.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
The leader of the kent NUM during the strike ( to my shame his name escapes me ?Frank ? ) was one of the bravest men I have ever met , he knew he ws dying , but wouldnt let his men down , a truely brave man
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
As I said Gary I support you and have always said closing the mines was wrong ,but it was just your wording At the very end I did not agree with. I still hope you carry on posting.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
Sarah P.
I believe you are talking of Jack Collins and the man was a perfect gentleman and a role model for me and many other young miners.
Vic.
I stated that I would celebrate when Maggie goes, I stand by that as not being offensive and if this gets edited out again, then this post will be my last.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
Whatever 'side' one is on a verbal hurt is just as bad as a physical one and shows how carefully one should choose their words as has been shown on this thread.
Thatcher was one extreme, Scargill was the opposite extreme and both were to blame for the closures by their unwillingness to compromise.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
Jan.
I can agree with your last post, on both point's.
However, that does not mean that the Kent Miner was wrong to try and stop the closure of his pit or the Kent Coalfield?
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
JAN;
I think you will find that maggie was the one unwilling to compromise.
You are correct that maggie was extreme, and arthur to, but you will find that arthur was hounded by the press when he announced how many pits were to close, the national press/.tories said hes in cloud cuckoo land, but at the end of the day it came true (sadly)
I has 12 months down tilmanstone which was enough for me, i recall on my training
the instructor telling us all that if you stayed working underground(near the face) you are nearly guarenteed to get the miners disease
on my 12th month i was informed i would be working on the face permanently, thats a job i respect all those that did it day in and day out.
What was also impressive was the comraderie, everyone looking out for everyone else, in what was a very dangerous job at times.
The other tragic part of the closures was the dismantling of communities, local shops, communities working together, all ripped apart.
there are some good tory cllrs as there are some good labour cllrs
which would probably have been a better line for roger to have put
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS