Gateshead Libraries honour Chopwell's mining heritage
Gateshead Libraries are taking part in a free festival marking 100 years since the Chopwell Lockout. The 'Little Moscow' festival, organised by local community groups and funded by the National Lottery's Heritage Fund, will see 6 weeks of commemorative events take place throughout the village this summer.
To encourage all ages to learn about the lockout, Gateshead Libraries have organised events including protest badge making, commemorative mug making and a banner bingo sessions at Chopwell Library from Monday 23 June to Saturday 19 July. Residents are also invited to trace their family history at the library to potentially uncover more about how the lockout may have impacted their ancestors.
As part of the wider festival programme, there will be a local history display, a play, music, talks, church services, community meals, games workshops, and crafts reflecting on life in 1925 and 2025 created by local children.
Councillor Lynne Caffrey, one of the festival organisers, said: "This is a great example of a community remembering its past and recreating the community spirit that kept it going 100 years ago. Many groups across Chopwell have worked together to make the 'Little Moscow' festival a success."
In June 1925, Chopwell gained its nickname 'Little Moscow' when it took the lead in a national strike after the owners of the local mine decided to reduce miners' wages. The striking miners were then locked out of the local colliery, and it was almost 18 months before they worked again. During the lock out, the village rallied round the miners and their families, with people from across the world also sending them money and food. One major donation came from Russia, and so began Chopwell's nickname 'Little Moscow'. The Chopwell Lockout remains a significant moment in Gateshead's history and is a powerful reminder of community spirit in the North East.
Residents can learn more about the planned events by Gateshead Libraries by visiting www.gateshead.gov.uk/WhatsOn
Events as part of the wider festival programme can be found at www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/30055/Gateshead-events
Gateshead Libraries are taking part in a free festival marking 100 years since the Chopwell Lockout. The 'Little Moscow' festival, organised by local community groups and funded by the National Lottery's Heritage Fund, will see 6 weeks of commemorative events take place throughout the village this summer.
To encourage all ages to learn about the lockout, Gateshead Libraries have organised events including protest badge making, commemorative mug making and a banner bingo sessions at Chopwell Library from Monday 23 June to Saturday 19 July. Residents are also invited to trace their family history at the library to potentially uncover more about how the lockout may have impacted their ancestors.
As part of the wider festival programme, there will be a local history display, a play, music, talks, church services, community meals, games workshops, and crafts reflecting on life in 1925 and 2025 created by local children.
Councillor Lynne Caffrey, one of the festival organisers, said: "This is a great example of a community remembering its past and recreating the community spirit that kept it going 100 years ago. Many groups across Chopwell have worked together to make the 'Little Moscow' festival a success."
In June 1925, Chopwell gained its nickname 'Little Moscow' when it took the lead in a national strike after the owners of the local mine decided to reduce miners' wages. The striking miners were then locked out of the local colliery, and it was almost 18 months before they worked again. During the lock out, the village rallied round the miners and their families, with people from across the world also sending them money and food. One major donation came from Russia, and so began Chopwell's nickname 'Little Moscow'. The Chopwell Lockout remains a significant moment in Gateshead's history and is a powerful reminder of community spirit in the North East.
Residents can learn more about the planned events by Gateshead Libraries by visiting www.gateshead.gov.uk/WhatsOn
Events as part of the wider festival programme can be found at www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/30055/Gateshead-events
