Cramlington Train Wreckers Day School at The Word

£5 per person

Suitable for ages 16+

On March 10, 1926, seven days into the General Strike of that year, striking miners uncoupled a rail on the main line from London to Edinburgh. Their intention was to derail a coal train they felt was undermining the strike. Unfortunately, they derailed a passenger train instead. As the driver was already slowing down none of the 282 passengers were killed and there were only minor injuries. Eight Cramlington miners were sentenced to prison for their part in the derailing. The leader of the wreckers was Bill Muckle was born in Westoe. The first part of the day school tells their story.

In the second part of the day, to coincide with International Women’s Day, the talks will be on women’s involvement in two of the most significant strikes in 20^th Century British history, the General Strike and the 1984/84 Miner’s Strike.

Programme for event: 

Welcome 

• Talk – Introduction to the Cramlington Train Wreckers Film
• Film – BBC Film. “The Cramlington Train Wreckers”
• [Originally shown as part of the Yesterday’s Witness series. A documentary interviewing volunteers on the train and four surviving striking miners who derailed the train].
• Q&A Session
• Break for tea and coffee
• Talk – The role of women in the 1926 General Strike
• Talk – The role of women in the 1984/85 miner’s strike. Marking the 40^th Anniversary of the start of the strike. This will include songs and recitations.
• Q&A Session

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