What a great weekend we’ve had. Darlington Arts Centre, The Bowmans in Howden and then The Hope Tavern at Holton-le-Moor.

We couldn’t really have asked for a better turnout or more of a welcome. Plenty more radio coming up too so that’s good news for the In the Red album. On the subject of the North, and in particular the North East, we’re hoping that the track Paul Jones played on his Radio 2 show will help serve as a reminder of an important historic event in Easington, Co Durham. ‘Black Diamond’ commemorates the tragic events that unfolded 60 years ago at the Easington Colliery on the 29th May 1951, where 83 men lost their lives underground in a massive explosion.

In the light of the success of the mine rescue in Chile and the sad losses in New Zealand, the song acts as a reminder of the dangers miners all over the world face every day. And the tragic effects of loss on a mining community. With Geoff Grange hailing from Harlepool, and our former bass player, Graeme Wheatley from there too, we are keen people don’t forget the Easington Disaster in this, the 60th year after it occurred. Graeme Wheatley wrote the lyric, and Geoff the music. Graeme’s connection to the event couldn’t be closer, or for that matter a closer shave. His grandfather worked at the pit, but missed work that day, saving his life but at the same time losing 83 of his colleagues. Let’s hope the media don’t let this sad anniversary pass unnoticed.

Simon.