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Producer Sarah Julian says the story alone is
a very powerful one:
"Of all the stories I came across in making the Sense of Place
series, the story of the Ollerton banner really moved me."
"It was not only the remarkable history of the banner, but
the strength of feeling about the place which I really noticed -
I hope the programme will be a tribute to that passion."
The Ollerton Banner was a colliery banner created
in the 1940聮s to celebrate unity across the globe.
It disappeared mysteriously during the 1984/85 miners strike and
wasn聮t rediscovered until very recently, in a shed in Southampton.
The programme tells the story of the banner, and at the same time,
the story of Ollerton, a town divided by strike, destroyed by the
loss of it聮s pit - but now back on it聮s feet again.
Arthur Jackson was one of the people instrumental
in bringing the banner back to Ollerton. He sees it as a symbol
of the town.
Listen to Arthur Jackson, instrumental in bringing the banner back
to Ollerton, describe it and explain it's importance (28k).
The people of Ollerton tell us how the town was
built and grew from a colliery village to a town, housing people
from Wales, Scotland and the North East.
Colin Gibson came from the North East and like
so many others he made Ollerton his home. Colin thinks Ollerton
is a special place due to it's isolation.
Listen to Colin Gibson explain why he thinks Ollerton is such a
special place (28k).
The banner was rediscovered only recently, in a
very poor state, and the people of Ollerton set about restoring
it. At the same time, the pit site was being redeveloped by the
community, into an energy village.
Listen to Stan Crawford, Development Co-ordinator for the energy
village, explain how it came about (28k).
The former pit is now a site of much activity as
it聮s becoming the energy village. Sarah Julian says it聮s
a site with much meaning.
"I took one former miner to the site to look at it聮s redevelopment,
I聮ll always remember the emotion in his face as he described
to me what a significant place it is for him."
Listen to Eddie Jackson, former miner, reminisce
about the old pit site (28k).
It was also important for the programme to reflect
the younger generations聮 hopes for the town. Sarah says:
"The youngsters of Ollerton performed a play
to celebrate the renovation of the banner. I knew the older residents
were passionate about their place but I was quite surprised that
the teenagers felt the same. I suppose that says a lot about Ollerton,
as one interviewee told me 聭it gets under your skin, you can聮t
live here without feeling something for the place.聮"
Listen the thoughts of the young actors and part
of their play (28k).
Listen to the audio
documentary >>>
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