FOUR DAYS can be a long time sterdam march for its first four of the march, and the comradeship i that I now have a whole bunch of Unemployment has always been a grew up with it and that's why I was the memories remain strong - enhanced by the fact that I got through 3 rolls of film in four days.. the march in the next week as it apgretting the fact that I will miss the Monday May 19 row Town Hall. Jimmy McAuley, was there to see us off. Speakers at Magnet Support Group, Stephen Robertson speaking for the marchCouncil and some supporters from Jarrow as well as the permanent marchers. march are filmed by the BBC for North" and local paper "The JourThe positive mood continued all feet of sixteen miles on tarmac-give lecting went well - "Spare some Tuesday May 20 uncomfortable now I'm in my forToday's challenge - other than getency of Sedgefield for a good part of We are all a little apprehensive Ready to march out of Middlesbrough that the reception here might be ess friendlv. In fact we are wrong -we get a lot of support going through places like Sacriston, Whitton Gilbert and Spennymoor and the collecting tins are pleasantly full. Maurice on the loudhailer explaining why were marching in French, Spanish and Arabic also gets us noticed !
A warm reception, filling lunch and lots of march posters at Bearpark Artists Co-op. On to Durham where we spent some time in Market Square petitioning, collecting etc. Much less friendly reception but some support never the less.
Then to Bishop Auckland where we are met by local Trades Council and Labour party activists who marched with us to the community centre where we are staying . Dinner, then social they had organised at Crook Cricket Club. Wednesday May 21 Breakfast at a different Commu. nitv Centre Most marchers went back into Bishop Auckland to collect, a few stayed behind to talk with users.
Late morning marched from Bishop to Shildon for our first Civic reception. Welcomed by the Deputy mayor as the Mayor was out of town. Shildon was devastated by the closure of the Railway workshops a few years ago - unemployment is high.
Onto outskirts of Darlington where met by Magnet strikers for march to picket line. Arrived at picket line in time to 'greet' scabs leaving on the day shift. Maurice, our Moroccan camera man tried to interview one of the scabs about why he was a strike breaker.
The man grabbed him - and the police responded by threatening to arrest Maurice for swearing!
We are impressed by the strikers' camp with its portacabins, brazier and home built structures - and european marches from over and we're off again -this time to a social at the Navy euron Club organised by the strikers, Chec with a good sing song and dancUp at 6am for mass picket at 7am. Scabs even more arrogant than previous night but we give them a vocal reception and remind them that "Magner's going down and you're going down with them". Delicious breakfast on picket line - I can't remember when crumpets last tasted so good.
We're sorry to leave - and determined to do more to support Magnet both on the march and when we got home. Strikers marched down the road with us several miles on our way to Stockton. Met by activists from the Welfare State Network. Civic reception at Stockton Town Hall, collected in town centre.
On the way out of Stockton the police tried to arrest Maurice! First they came up with a story that there was an escaped Group 4 prisoner (yes another one!) answering to his description - then it transpires woman had been annoyed by him asking for money, so maybe that's why they came!
Policeman eventually backed down and put 50p in collection! Marched into Middlesbrough - осcupied the Job Centre, but were a 16 0 | Na ONEMPLOYMEN AND EXCIUSION little disconcerted by the fact that the manager shook one of the marcher's hands!
Started collecting in Town Centre but then Conor was taken ill and we had to call an ambulance. He's taken to hospital and John goes with him. Concern about him -he'd been carrying the banner a good deal of the day and it had been pretty hot - put the dampeners on things a bit.
Then to Town Hall for Civic reception, met by more activists including a student whose grandfather had been one of the original Jarrow marchers. She and Harry Clarke had a lot to talk about.
Marched to unemployed centre where we are staying. Public Meeting there with speakers included Harry Clarke, Shirley Winter from Magnet, Cathy Nugent from Welfare State Network and Pete Burnett representing the marchers. Good meeting, though audience smaller than we'd hoped. Hear that Conor has been kept in overnight. Friday May 23 A group of marchers go off to visit Conor before breakfast. Not sure when he'll be out or whether he'll be able to come back on the march.
Today I'm leaving to visit family and then back to work after the weekend. I don't want to go - although the fact that I'll get the train to Newcastle with Harry who's also going home makes it easier.
He says he'll be back, and I'm looking forward to seeing everybody again when they get to London... Manage to take lots of photos of every one together first. Wave the march off on its trek out of town... This has certainly been a weck to rememoеl...
Thursday May 22