Gainford priest plans to record area's mining heritage

A PRIEST is planning to create a record of mining heritage as part of a town’s transformation.
Revd Eileen Harrop combines her duties in the parish of Gainford and Winston, with the role of “Entrepreneur Priest” at St Anne’s, Bishop Auckland.
The town is undergoing radical change, with the developments at Auckland Castle and Eleven Arches (Kynren), through the work by Jonathan Ruffer, supported by Bishop Auckland Town Council and Durham County Council.
Revd Harrop said: “I am here to listen and watch and so see how as a church we come alongside that change.
“As an example, there is going to be a mining arts gallery that will be opening as well as a wide range of other initiatives.
“I listened to this and wanted to build on it and celebrate mining heritage, the lives of the mining communities; the people who have dedicated and sacrificed themselves, and belonged to the mining industry. As a response we are going to put on events; we are going to engage with schools; people in the community and businesses patiently waiting while the transformation happens here and all of the tourists and others that will come to the area.
“So I am asking for people to come forward and bear witness to the voice, culture and heritage of the mining communities. We are going to capture it in words and pictures, conversation, crafts and many others ways.
“We will then present it as a lasting and proud legacy of the region and of the spirit that is championing the regeneration.”
Anyone interested in taking part in the project should contact Revd Harrop via email at: ekgharrop@ gmail.com or call 01325 733154.