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Description
This programme is based on a book about the effects of Methodism in a Durham mining community in the early years of this century. The author is Robert Moore of Aberdeen University, who presents t...he programme. One of the most important sources of research material was interviews with old Methodists in the Deerness Valley. Here, Dr. Moore re-interviews some of the original respondents, One of them, an old lady of ninety, who talked about religious life in the villages in the old days. They talk about choirs, sermons and work. The conclusion that Robert Moore draws is that Methodists provided the political, liberal leadership in these small mining villages until the late 1920s. The Methodist life-style and their ability to express themselves verbally meant that they were often chosen to represent the men in the unions. But the Methodists were unable to deal with the increasing class conflict brought about by the Depression in the 1920s and 30s. They either lost their influence or became more radical and ceased to be Methodists.
This programme is based on a book about the effects of Methodism in a Durham mining community in the early years of this century. The author is Robert Moore of Aberdeen University, who presents t...he programme. One of the most important sources of research material was interviews with old Methodists in the Deerness Valley. Here, Dr. Moore re-interviews some of the original respondents, One of them, an old lady of ninety, who talked about religious life in the villages in the old days. They talk about choirs, sermons and work. The conclusion that Robert Moore draws is that Methodists provided the political, liberal leadership in these small mining villages until the late 1920s. The Methodist life-style and their ability to express themselves verbally meant that they were often chosen to represent the men in the unions. But the Methodists were unable to deal with the increasing class conflict brought about by the Depression in the 1920s and 30s. They either lost their influence or became more radical and ceased to be Methodists.
| Module code and title: | D101, Making sense of society |
|---|---|
| Item code: | D101; 23 |
| First transmission date: | 07-08-1975 |
| Published: | 1975 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:03 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Clare Falkner |
| Contributors: | W Stangroom; T Taylor |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | 1920s and 30s depression; Choirs; Class conflicts; Durham mining community; Early 20th century; Interviews; Methodism; Methodist political leadership; Sermons; Village religious life |
| Footage description: | Thompson introduces the programme, which will deal with Moore's research. Shots of Deerness valley. Moore outlines his research for his book Pitmen, Preachers and Politics, why he chose Esh Winning and his methodology. Shots of Esh Winning. Golightly and Stangroom, elderly residents of the village, say what activities the Methodist church organised during the week. Moore looks at the practical values of Methodist preaching. Taylor and Golightly relate what they remember of the sermons etc. The importance of ethical, clean living Christian life is discussed by Moore with examples from Golightly and the Bennetts. The relationship between the Methodists and the miners is examined, again with examples. The importance of their non-conformist individualism is stressed. The early community of interest is lost during the twentieth century. Moore shows how Methodists begin to lose control as the Labour Party grows. The Bennetts and Taylor relate stories from the depression. Moore sums up on the importance and decline of Methodist beliefs in Esh Winning over the years. Credits. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/71844 |
| Production number: | 00525_2175 |
| Videofinder number: | 1681 |
| Available to public: | no |
