‘Shot at Dawn’ South Moor Remembers a Horrible History

Two hundred and thirty three miners are named at the gates of South Moor’s First World War Memorial Park. Behind each name is a tragic story of loss and bereavement but perhaps none more so than that of Lance Corporal Peter Goggins who volunteered for Kitchener’s Army in 1915. Goggins, like many Durham miners of short stature was recruited to a ‘Bantam’ Battalion of the DLI as a specialist tunneller. Keen to leave the mines of South Moor he saw action at Ypres and the Somme winning promotion to Lance Corporal and marrying his South Moor sweetheart in 1916.
Goggins fortunes would change on the 26th of November 1916. Isolated in a forward location as a German detachment advanced to over-run his trench his Sergeant ordered a withdrawal, jamming his rifle across the trench to slow the attack. Goggins left his position rapidly falling back. On re-joining his company he was immediately questioned, accused of desertion and jailed.  Court martialled on Christmas Eve he was sentenced to be shot by firing squad, in spite of supporting evidence from his Sergeant. At dawn on the 16th January 1917 Private Peter Goggins was executed alongside 2 other DLI comrades.
Now residents and visitors can walk round a South Moor and Quaking Houses First World War heritage trail that marks the homes and collieries of the fallen miners such as Goggins. The trail funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and Stanley Town Council links to a dedicated website www.southmoorheritage.org.uk hosting the individual stories of all two hundred and thirty three fallen miners and documents life in South Moor at the time of the First World War.
In remembrance of Peter Goggins and his miner comrades Horrible Histories Author Terry Deary and Derwentside Athletic Club have organised The ‘Goggins Comrades Run’ starting at 9am on the 11th November at the Haven on Pine Street. Fun runners from across Durham will join Terry on the 5 mile route around the rural heritage trail finishing in The South Moor First World War Memorial Park. ‘The story of South Moor and Private Goggins is the story of every mining village and every mining family in Durham. None escaped tragedy and loss in the First World War. Sunday’s armistice  centenary is testament to the wars lasting impact and I am delighted to support this tribute to Goggins and his surviving family’
Terry Deary’s latest book ‘Terrible Trenches’ uncovers the hidden horrors of the First World War. Relatives of miners named on the South Moor memorial, including Peter Goggins, are invited to attend the South Moor Park remembrance service at 10.45am  on the11th November. Organisers are also so keen to add the stories, photographs and  letters of South Moor soldiers to the website contact Adrian Cantle-Jones project manager by emailAdrian.cantle-jones@durham.gov.uk or telephone 03000 265259.
Picture: Horrible Histories author Terry Deary pictured with junior members of Derwentside Athletics Club

Remembrance Events in Stanley November 2018

Details of the Remembrance Events being held on Sunday 11th November around Stanley are as follows:

Annfield Plain

1.45 Tesco Car Park meet up.
2pm Service at Annfield Plain Central Methodist Church.
2.30pm March from Church to Memorial in Park
2.45 approx Wreath laying in Park at Memorial

Also in Annfield Plain, ceremonies are held at the Memorial in the Avenue, Greencroft, at 11 am and at the Loud Bank Memorial, also at 11 am.

Catchgate

6.45pm “Battles Over” Beacon Lighting Ceremony on Catchgate Village Green (adjacent to the Crown & Thistle)

Craghead

10.45 at the War Memorial

South Moor

10.45 Memorial Park

Stanley

9.45 Service at St Andrews Church
10.45 at the Memorial in St Andrews Church

6.45pm “Battles Over” Beacon Lighting Ceremony on Stanley Front Street

Tanfield

9.00am for service at St Margaret’s Church with wreath-laying.

 

Stanley Beacon of Light to remember fallen heroes…

Stanley Beacon of Light to remember fallen heroes…

A BEACON of remembrance will be lit in Stanley on Armistice Day to remember those lost in World War I.

Stanley will be illuminated by a Beacon of Light – one of over 1,000 that will be ignited at 7pm on November 11, across Britain – as it falls silent to honour the millions who fought and died in the conflict, which ended 100 years ago.

Stanley Town Council, which has funded the Beacon in Front Street, will light its brazier as the last post is played by a bugler.

Council Leader, David Marshall, himself a veteran, said: “Every year, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and honour them with silent prayer. With 2018 marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, we felt it was appropriate to join with cities, towns and villages across the country in lighting a Beacon, not only of remembrance, but also of hope for a peaceful future.  The Beacon of Light will symbolise the ‘light of hope’ that emerged from the darkness of war.  The four-metre Beacon will become a permanent fixture on Front Street, only moving during the December weeks when we light-up and display the town’s Christmas tree.”

The service will also feature a dedication to the memory of Private Michael Heaviside, a Craghead pit hewer who was awarded the Victoria Cross for valour during the conflict.

The 36 year-old soldier crawled 60 yards across No Man’s Land under heavy fire to bring water and first aid to a wounded soldier lying in a shell hole during the Battle of Arras, risking his life to bring him back to the trenches.

On July 12, 1917, Stanley ground to a halt as locals afforded him a hero’s welcome. Days later, the Durham Light Infantry soldier was presented with his Victoria Cross by King George V.

Stanley Town Mayor, Alexander Clegg, said: “Stanley and the surrounding villages lost many good people in World War I, and while we remember them all, it’s also important we do the same for those who exhibited extraordinary heroics in the face of grave danger. It will be an honour to stand alongside the descendants of Michael Heavisides and recognise the act of uncommon valour of someone who saved a life by putting his own at risk.”

Over 1,000 councils, communities and other organisations nationwide have confirmed their involvement by lighting WWI Beacons of Light.

Everyone is invited to the Remembrance Sunday event, which will take place on Stanley Front Street (in front of the old board school) from 6:40pm on Sunday, November 11, 2018.

Full Council 25th September – Papers Uploaded

The agenda and background papers for next Tuesday’s Full Council meeting are linked below.   The meeting will be held at 6.30pm at the Civic Hall and is open to the general public.  Members of the public may ask questions in relation to the business on the agenda, please notify the Town Clerk in advance of the meeting.  Contact Us

the business to be considered at the meeting will include:

An update from the CLLD Funding Officer; Fireworks; Civic Hall Business Planning; Beacons of Light; Neighbourhood Wardens Update.

Council Agenda 25 September 2018

September 18 FC Supporting Papers

 

Louisa Morrison Pit disaster Memorial moved…

IT WAS almost midnight on August 22, 1947, when tragedy struck a North Durham town, costing the lives of 22 men and shaking a community to its core.

The two dozen miners were underground in the “fourth north district”, between the Louisa Pit and the Morrison North Pit, in the area of Kyo bogs when a huge explosion of firedamp, most likely a pocket of methane gas, ripped through the pit workings.

Of the 24 men working the coal seam, 22 were killed, including two “Bevin Boys”.

The two pits were linked underground, so the men were from both collieries and had descended from both ends of the shaft.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the disaster, and remember the men lost that day, local historian Jack Hair and then vicar of St Aidan’s church, Annfield Plain, Revd. DE Jenkins, raised funds for a permanent memorial in the grounds of the church, which was dedicated with family members and descendants of the deceased present on August 23, 1997.

However, the memorial was placed under threat, when it was announced in February 2016 that St Aidan’s church was to close.

Stanley Town Council moved quickly to honour the men who died in 1947 and save the memorial. Following lengthy discussions with the church and with help from Mr Hair, whooriginally commissioned the stone, the Council is funding the relocation of the stone, which will now sit outside the Louisa Centre, near the site of the old Louisa Colliery.

Town Mayor Alex Clegg said: After almost two years of negotiations, we finally got the green light to relocate the stone, just in time for the 71st Anniversary of the disaster and it is fitting that now sits so close to where some of those hardworking men made their final journey underground.

“This disaster was an important part of our area’s mining history and it’s right that the men should be remembered.

“I’m delighted that we have not only been able to secure the future of the memorial for future generations but that we have been able to place it in a prominent location so that many more people will be able to see the memorial in the setting of the former site of the Louisa Colliery.”

Leader of Stanley Town Council, David Marshall, said: “Like most this part of County Durham, the town of Stanley was hewn from the coalface – our proud history inexorably linked to the coal mining industry.

“It is only right and proper that we continue to educate people about and pay tribute to the brave souls who gave their life down the pit. They worked for long hours in horrendous conditions for a modest income all to make sure there was food on the table for their families…we will remember them and make sure others do for generations to come.”

The Town Council is planning an event on August 23, the anniversary of the disaster to re-dedicate the memorial in it’s new setting.

Play in the Park 2018

Stanley Town Council is delighted to announce the dates for this year’s Summer Play in the Park Events. As always, all the rides and activities will be FREE so get the dates in your diary now.

The dates are:

Wed 1 Aug – View Lane Park

Sat 4 Aug – Oakies Park

Wed 8 Aug – South Moor Greenland School Playing Fields

Sat 18 Aug – Annfield Plain Park

Wed 22 Aug – Craghead Millennium Green

All events are from 10 am to 3 pm

Introducing our new Events Management Partner

Stanley Town Council has joined forces with local company Alan Hillary Events to deliver its events programme over the next 3 years. The Council took the decision to seek a professional events management partner to improve the quality of events delivered for residents and to enable the Town Council’s own staff to focus on delivering more community projects in the Stanley area.

James Harper, STC Environment Manager, (pictured, right) met with Scott Hillary (left) today to finalise the arrangements for the Town Council’s Play in the Park events.

James said “Alan Hillary Events have 30 years of experience in this area, put forward the strongest bid for the contract and we’re looking forward to working with them”.

For more information about the company, see their facebook page linked below

https://www.facebook.com/AlanHillaryEventsLtd/

Dynamic duo all set for the Stanley beat…

A PAIR of crimefighters are clamping down on community anti-social behaviour in a North Durham town.

Two new neighbourhood wardens have been recruited to prowl the Stanley beat, working alongside their communities to improve the environment and help tackle minor disorder and vandalism.

The new full-time patrolmen are funded by Stanley Town Council, which is also funding essential equipment and training.

Kieron Rice and Dave Jarvis started their first shifts this week and were eased into the role by Paul Rutherford, one of Durham County Council’s community wardens.

Kieron said: “I couldn’t wait to get started. I think Stanley is a great town and there seems to be so much happening at the moment, with everyone pulling in the same direction.

“My aim is to quickly get to know people across the community and begin to build up trust in ourselves and the service. In doing that, we will learn about areas of concern, potential areas of anti-social behaviour and also involve ourselves in some of the proactive community projects happening all over Stanley.

“The more we can help improve Stanley, the better civic pride will be and the more pride we can instil, the easier our jobs will be. Every village and town has its issues with challenging elements, but if we can reduce their impact on other people, then our introduction will have been a success.”

The wardens will work closely with the Town Council as well as other community groups. It will also provide a link with Durham Police, which has backed the introduction of community wardens.

Leader of Stanley Town Council, Councillor David Marshall said: “Stanley will benefit from the arrival of Kieran and Dave, who will immerse themselves in the community and quickly learn about the projects that are making a real difference to their lives and also address some of their concerns.

“When the enhanced wardens service was cancelled in 2015, the quality of life for people in and around Stanley deteriorated. Almost overnight, there was an increase in dog fouling, more fly tipping and a rise in the amount of rubbish blowing around the streets. How can people be proud of where they live in that sort of environment?

“The people of Stanley wanted to see an improvement in their environment, so I’m delighted that we can start tackling that by bringing back a dedicated team of wardens and environmental caretakers that can really get stuck in to improving the environment for all of our communities.”

The wardens will also work alongside Stanley’s Environmental Caretakers, who, among other services, take a lead the town’s “In Bloom” entry and other civic pride programmes.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Durham County Council cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “This is an example of partnership work at its best, and demonstrates the commitment of Stanley Town Council and ourselves to ensuring Stanley is a safe and attractive place to live, work and visit.

“Neighbourhood wardens make a positive difference in towns and villages across County Durham, and Stanley Town Council’s decision to invest in an enhanced service demonstrates a proactive approach that should be applauded.”

County Durham Plan Consultation, 25th June 2018

There will be a consultation event about the proposals for the County Durham plan this Thursday, 28th June from 4pm – 7pm in the Civic Hall. The County Council are consulting on preferred options and it is essential that they capture as much feedback as possible from residents across the County. The plan will determine the direction of development in County Durham until 20135. For further information see the County Council’s website www.durham.gov.uk/future