4000 snowdrops now planted in 75 sites around the Ouseburn Vale to commemorate the 75 miners who died in 1815.

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Thousands of Heaton residents turned out to celebrate their community at the Heaton Park Festival yesterday. Under the Fields of Heaton gave out 500 snowdrops to interested festival goers ….. and their snowdrop sites are now on the Snowdrop Map! These join 3500 snowdrops already distributed in schools, churches, and at the Spinney 2nd May remembrance event.

34 boys and 41 men were trapped underground under Heaton Park from 3rd May 1815 – February / March 1816 when their bodies were finally laid to rest. The newly planted snowdrops with bloom in February 2016 (and each year after) to remind Heaton residents of the 19C miners.

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Snow drops handed out to Heaton Festival-goers 27th June 2015

Mining Institute Gig SOLD OUT 24th June

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A fine night of mining heritage. Bethany Elen Coyle put together a programme of songs old and new, put in context by Les Turnbull, sung by the North East Solidarity Singers, Bethany, Johnny Handle, Benny Graham and Gareth Davies-Jones.

Bethany led the choir in the Durham Lockout with added poignant verses added for 21st parallels,  Johnny joined the choir for ‘The Banner Song’, Benny started his set with ‘If it’s over the wall yer oot’, and Gareth sang a set of new songs from ‘SEAM’ researched and written at the MI and finishing with Gresford.

Many thanks to organisers Bethany, Jennifer, Simon and all at the MI.

Excellent!

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Rehearsals Start for Heaton Main Music Suite

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A combined choir from Heaton Voices, Flotsam, The Swing Bridge Singers, The Caedmon Choir, Chillingham Primary School Choir, and others……
…….with combined band:
10th Avenue Band, Chillingham Road Band, Meze Mundo, Hexham Village Ceilidh Band
and Hexham Morris have started rehearsals for two big performances at the Ouseburn Festival!
Ouseburn Festival 5th July ‘The Heaton Main Music Suite’
A Performance Spectacular with Johnny Handle 
12.15 outside Cluny and 2.15pm 5th July 2015 outside Cumberland Arms.
The massed voices and spectacle of local community choirs, bands, and dancers come together for the premier of a specially commissioned suite of songs and music to mark the 200th anniversary of the Heaton Main Colliery Disaster.
1 May Dance: Hexham Village Ceilidh Band and Hexham Morris
2 Johnny Handle sings his new song ‘Under the Fields of Heaton’
3 Combined choirs sing Andrew Scott’s ‘Heaton Trio’: the men, women and children.
4 10th Avenue Band, Chillingham Road Band, Meze Mundo (leading all): ‘Inundation’ an improvisation
5 Combined Choirs a capella: Richard Scott’s ‘Waiting’
6 The whole ensemble: Ken Patterson’s ‘Shafts of Light’, ending on a positive note…