Hi listenupnortherners

I have been very privileged to learn about Gordon MacPherson's life (1928-1999), through his daughter Heather, son Gordon and the book Fight to the Finish (Northern Voices Community Projects).  Gordon MacPherson of Easington Colliery was a miner in the Durham coalfield and a family man who took time to write down his memories, musings and comments on life.  Together with Heather's account of her father's life, Gordon's words have unwittingly provided us with a social history of a working class man in the 20th century.

In preparing the recording of extracts from Fight to the Finish, read by his children Heather and Gordon  for listenupnorth.com, I hope that I have played a part in preserving Gordon MacPherson's story, something which I should like to share with you:

Quicklink
Fight to the Finish (extracts) by the late Gordon MacPherson

Thank you to Seaham Safety Services Ltd for sponsoring this recording.

I am looking forward to next weekend (24 - 27 Nov 11) when the Newcastle Winter Book Festival will be taking place once again.  There's a great programme with writers of all genres and workshops - something to interest everybody.  I am doubly excited as I have been asked to interview and record some of the visiting authors.  Just who these will be is top secret until confirmed but the recordings will be available shortly.

I am also really excited (and just a bit nervous) that listenupnorth.com's  photodrama Couple is being performed live tonight at  the new Newbiggin Maritime Centre (definitely worth a visit) as part of an evening of local culture.  I have every confidence in Ann Ridley and Tony Jackson doing a great performance - fingers crossed for sound effects coming at the right time!

Also being performed will be Newbiggin Saturday, a poem by Judy Walker who has previously recorded her short story Still the Same Old Katharine for listenupnorth.com

Happy listening!
Rachel