£5 plus £2 p. and p.
ISBN 978-1-912710-03-4
arise! is a new long poem by Paul Summers, which is both a celebration of the past, and an inspiration for the future. The pamphlet was commissioned by Culture Matters for the Durham Miners’ Gala this year, and it is sponsored by the Durham Miners’ Association.
The poem celebrates the rich heritage and culture of mining communities, which is expressed so vibrantly and colourfully in the marches, the banners, the music and the speeches at the Durham Miners’ Gala. It invokes the collective and co-operative spirit of past generations of men and women who worked and struggled so hard to survive, to build their union, and to organise politically to fight for a better world.
arise! also celebrates the new, resurgent spirit in the Labour Party, led by Jeremy Corbyn, and the renewal of support for socialist solutions to the country’s growing economic and social problems.
It’s wonderful to see the proud history of the Durham Miners’ Gala represented in this powerful poem. Paul Summers has managed to capture the spirit of the Miners’ Gala and its central place in our movement’s mission to achieve ‘victory for the many, and not the few’. – Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour Party.
A powerful, rhythmic and inspiring poem – Alan Cummings, Secretary, Durham Miners’ Association.
‘arise!’is a full-throated song of defiant hope, seeing in the history of the coal industry much to mourn, yet much to celebrate. – Sean O’Brien, Professor of Creative Writing, Newcastle University
10% of the proceeds of sales of this book will go to the DMA Redhills Appeal, to help turn Redhills into a cultural hub for the area.