On Saturday 14th October, the annual service which celebrates the northeast’s mining heritage and commemorates Thomas Hepburn takes place at 11am in St Mary’s Church, Heworth (the church will be open from 10am). As our Year 7s are currently carrying out an expedition titled ‘From the Ground Up’ and will be having their Presentation of Learning in the church in December, we are honoured to have been asked to attend with some of our students.
Thomas Hepburn is buried in the churchyard at St Mary’s, and spent his life working to improve the lives of miners and their families as well as being the founder of the Colliers United of Durham and Northumberland in 1825.
The acclaimed filmmaker, Ken Loach, will speak at the memorial service for the leader of the first miners’ trade union and the service will also feature music from North East folk singer Bill Elliott as well as readings from MP for Easington Grahame Morris and the Mayor of Gateshead Cllr Eileen McMaster. Following the service, wreaths will be laid at Thomas Hepburn’s grave.
The Durham Miners Association Brass Band will play during the service, before performing Gresford, the miners’ hymn, at the graveside.
We have sent out some individual emails to families inviting their children to attend the service with myself and Mrs Mosley but would also like our families to know that they are welcome to attend the service themselves should they wish to.