One of the most interesting attractions at the forthcoming Durham Miners Gala this weekend is to be a talk given Jack Goldstein investigating the social and political decline of brass banding in the decades following the end of the 1984 Miners' Strike, and its potential for resurrection affiliated to the socialist arm of the Labour movement.

Progressive

The Brunel University graduate will be undertaking his Masters at Goldsmiths in London later this year and his talk, entitled; 'The fallout of the UK Miners Strike on the British brass band movement and the paths towards a progressive and socialist resuscitation', will be given on Friday 8th July at 2.30pm at Redhills (The Miners' Hall).

Generate interest

Speaking to 4BR, he said: "I hope that it's a subject that can both generate interest and invigorate a long overdue debate about how the brass band movement in the UK can once again rejuvenate itself by embracing a cultural shift of focus in popular culture, firmly affiliated with the left-wing socialist arm of the Labour Party."

it's is a debate I believe is much is needed — with different views that can be embraced, discussed and analysedJack Goldstein

Much needed debate

He added: "It's is a debate I believe is much is needed — with different views that can be embraced, discussed and analysed.

I hope the talk can kick-start that — and I would welcome anyone with an interest in the long term prosperity of the banding movement in the UK to come along."