Writer John Newton is looking to get in contact with bandsmen and women for a new book that he is writing about the 1984 Miners' Strike and the effects it had on bands and banding communities.

Fictional novel

However, the former player is keen to point out that the research is to assist him for a fictional novel based on the events.

Speaking to 4BR, he said: "The novel will examine the relationship between members of brass bands linked to the local and national politics of the 1984/85 Miners' Strike.

I'm eager to capture the dynamic accurately and sympathetically, and therefore I'm looking to speak with players who played or who were associated with colliery bands during this period, and particularly those who worked in them.

I'm interested in how the day to day events did or did not transcend into the bandroom at the time, and how it affected band cohesion, standards and morale — from the optimism of the start to the long drawn out conclusion and what happened in the months and years that followed."

Any conversations would be in strictest confidence, with any acknowledgment in the finished work completely at the preference of the intervieweeJohn Newton

Strictest confidence

He added: "It will be a work of fiction, but one based on wider facts. I am much more interested in creating a realistic and accurate world for the fiction to play out in.

Any conversations would be in strictest confidence, with any acknowledgment in the finished work completely at the preference of the interviewee."

Contact:

John can be contacted at: n21leg92j@gmail.com