MEDIA RELEASE -SHEFFIELD HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
SHEFFIELD HERITAGE OPEN DAYS AND THE ORGREAVE TRUTH AND JUSTICE CAMPAIGN PRESENT:
Music, Art and Activism: Cultural Creativity and the Miners’ Strike
7pm, THURSDAY 17th SEPTEMBER 2020
The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign present a night of bread and roses. The strike of 1984/85 brought together protest, music and art. Activists, artists and musicians stand together now as strong as ever.
People are invited to join our Facebook event and enjoy our panel discussions, music, images and films about the heritage, traditions and relevance of art, music and the cultural creativity inspired by oppression and fighting injustice.
Kevin Horne, miner wrongly arrested at Orgreave and OTJC activist said:
“We were touched that so many artists and musicians helped us and our families by organising benefit events and exhibitions to raise funds and let people know what was really going on during the 84/5 strike. Their creativity and generosity helped to get the message out and prevent miners being starved back to work and to carry on the fight. They wanted to support us miners and our communities and have used art and music to continue to support other important causes.”
Melissa Maddison, horn player and Chairperson of the UNITE Brass Band said:
“The tradition of brass bands in mining communities is a strong one and they have played a vital cultural role in working-class communities for centuries. Fighting oppression and injustice inspires many artists and musicians to connect with that tradition. Art and music help us all to deal with the problems we face, often as a result of the forces that are released as a result of a difficult event or situation. We need bread but we can have roses too.”
Jon McClure, lead singer of renowned rock band Reverend and the Makers said:
“Music needs a political voice now more than ever, to care about the world we live in and to question the government and the country we live in. Having organised ‘Love Music, Hate Racism’ events and setting up ‘Instigate Debate’ I am proud to be part of this event. We need political art and music to promote working class culture and experience as a force for social change.”
Chris Peace, OTJC activist and one of the organisers of the event said:
“We are really excited about our event and are proud to have such a fantastic lineup of speakers, artists and performers, all of whom have participated in and/or gained inspiration from the miners’ strike and the campaigns for justice against discrimination and oppression. Given the pandemic and economic situation we are in, the idea that people do not passively accept what the government dictates to them still inspires many artists and musicians and develops a creativity which often goes beyond traditional forms, introducing us to new ways of expressing ourselves”
We are joined by:
O’Hooley & Tidow – Yorkshire folk duo,
Mike Jackson – Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners,
Paula McCloskey & Sam Vardy – A Place of Their Own,
Craig Oldham – Office of Craig,
Yuen Fong Ling – artist,
Melissa Maddison – Unite Brass Band,
Ken Bonsall – Ferocious Dog,
Sam Browse – musician,
Jon McClure – Reverend & the Makers.
Chaired by Orgreave Campaign activists Joe Rollin, Kate Flannery, Chris Peace and Sophie Wilson.
For more information and to arrange interviews please contact:
Kate Flannery
Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign
Email: orgreavejustice@hotmail.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign
Heritage Open Days
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