Lyr Req: MA student in Leeds needs help!

Subject: Lyr Req: MA student in Leeds needs help!
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 10 Oct 16 - 05:40 PM

Hi there everyone!

Slightly strange/specific request, but i'm in need of help.
I've just started a Masters degree in Contemporary Literature at Leeds Beckett University. Our first module of study is called Researching Cultures, and our task is to look at contemporary representations of the Second World War.
As i am from Normanton, West Yorkshire, i thought it would be interesting to focus my project on coal miners in the West Riding area between 1939-1945. Specifically i'd like to look at the representations of masculinity at this time - Bevin Boys, and how the boys left behind are represented - were they relieved to be down the mine? or did they want to go to war? Did staying behind make them feel less of a man?

So, i'm in search of anything, literally anything, literature, poetry, art, film, tv, voice recordings, stories - which may help me in my search. Specifically thinking about poetry on here.

Your help would be most appreciated - please email me at [e-mail]
Thanks,
Sarah

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: MA student in Leeds needs help!
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 10 Oct 16 - 06:00 PM

An interesting study.

Scholar (dot) Google might lead you to previous research....and use the bibliography of previous research as a "spring board" and your review of past literature.

Also, Melvel (sic) a universal library to library connection....

It is peculiar that you are already showing a bias to "Bevin Boys."

Perhaps, you should broaden your research.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

You have chosen something that one advisor likened to the "left toe-nail fungus of an elephant."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: MA student in Leeds needs help!
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Oct 16 - 06:22 PM

Thank you for your reply, it's very helpful information.

I'm not showing a bias to Bevin Boys, it just helps to explain what i mean and i was also advised to look at them by my teacher.

Thanks again,
Sarah

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: MA student in Leeds needs help!
From: Leadfingers
Date: 10 Oct 16 - 07:21 PM

I do know that a loy of Bevan Boys would rather have been in uniform

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: MA student in Leeds needs help!
From: Jack Campin
Date: 10 Oct 16 - 07:59 PM

I live in a former mining village in Scotland and our local weekly newspaper often runs local-history stories like that, which can reverberate for a while in the letters page. If you can find something to publish there to start the ball rolling - like a photo of Bevin Boys going down the pit for the first time, or one of them with a pit pony - you are likely to stimulate reminiscences.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: MA student in Leeds needs help!
From: GUEST,David Nuttall, Wakefield
Date: 11 Oct 16 - 04:51 AM

Hi Sarah, I was born in Hemsworth , West Yorkshire, in 1944. My father, Sam, was a coal miner at SOUTH Kirkby colliery before and after that time and told me of many anecdotes about pit life . He knew Bevin boys but did not seem to have much empathy for their plight...even though their selection was random.

On google there is much research material under the various headings of BEVIN BOYS. Jimmy Savile was a Bevin Boy at South Kirkby and there may be references to this in some of his biography or autobiography material.

I am interested in your study....I did a part time M.A through York University late in life and this was concerned with teaching and educational studies.

To date I have written many poems which I now Sing in folk sessions and which are about my dad, his life in the pits, our community life in the coalfield etc. I don't think I can offer any relevant help to you but don't hesitate to contact me through mudcat and I will get back to you if you think I can help . I have many good links with friends who have interests in mining as depicted through folk songs....THE YORKSHIRE GARLAND is a collection of songs AND THEIR ORIGINS AND BACKGROUND which will have some connection to your study. I wish you every success.

Best Wishes. DAVID

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: MA student in Leeds needs help!
From: GUEST,David Nuttall, Wakefield
Date: 11 Oct 16 - 05:08 AM

Sarah....for a light- hearted but perhaps relevant FILM depicting mining in Yorkshire ( tongue in cheek but funny ) put the heading into YOUTUBE.........TONY CAPSTICK COMES HOME......Perhaps it touches on the culture and perception of men's roles!! Ha ha Anyway, I hope you enjoy it...even as light entertainment.

DAVID

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: MA student in Leeds needs help!
From: G-Force
Date: 11 Oct 16 - 06:27 AM

My dad was a Bevin Boy (and Leadfingers, it's Bevin not Bevan). They weren't particularly well treated or appreciated, e.g. after the war returning servicemen could claim their old jobs back, but not the Bevin Boys. There was no recognition or campaign medal until decades later (John Major's time, I think).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: MA student in Leeds needs help!
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 11 Oct 16 - 11:03 AM

It'll be interesting if you can post something here when you're done.

You'll be doing lots of googling.

Couple of BBC progs here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/topics/Bevin_Boys 


Mudcat threads :
.google.co.uk/search?q=Bevin_Boys+mudcat.org+site:mudcat.org  

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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: MA student in Leeds needs help!
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 11 Oct 16 - 11:28 AM

From memory, would strongly recommend researching the Archives of the History Workshop Journal - Alun Howkins name rings a very loud bell.
Lovely story about The Bevin Boys recorded from miners during the making of 'The Big Hewer' Radio Ballad.
It was the practice of the period that, whenever there was a fatality in the mine, all the men would be given a day off in respect.
Two Bevin boys, sent into the mine following a pit-fall discovered the bodies of two miners.
One suggested to the other, "Let's take one up now and save the other one for next week".
There are is a load of incredible actuality such as this in The Charles Parker Archive at Birmingham Central Library.
There may be more lodged with the Ewan MacColl material at Ruskin.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: MA student in Leeds needs help!
From: Jack Campin
Date: 11 Oct 16 - 11:30 AM

Have you already looked through the British Pathé film archive?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: MA student in Leeds needs help!
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 11 Oct 16 - 12:54 PM

I can't find Jock Purdon's The Bevin Boys' Lament online but if you get to Salford it is in two documents there.

The Working Class Movement Library
http://www.wcml.org.uk Salford UK
Record one & two of
http://146.87.210.2/detail.aspx 

Or maybe a Mudcatter has it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: MA student in Leeds needs help!
From: Jack Campin
Date: 11 Oct 16 - 01:33 PM

Here you go for the Pathe films:

http://www.britishpathe.com/search/query/bevin+boys

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: MA student in Leeds needs help!
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Oct 16 - 05:28 PM

Thank you thank you thank you!

You've all been so much help so far, really really appreciate it.

Sarah

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: MA student in Leeds needs help!
From: GUEST,David Nuttall, Wakefield
Date: 17 Oct 16 - 06:26 AM

Hi Sarah , I was just wondering if all the contacts you have made have been of use in your M.A. dissertation. It would also be to your advantage to keep this post uppermost on Mudcat so that others can see it and add to your sources of information.....I expect there are many others out there who have much knowledge and who would be happy to help and share it .

BEST WISHES
DAVID