Workers' writing

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NO CONSCRIPTION Issue no.17 out now: This month's Class Fighter's fu page on the government's Youth Training Scheme inclu es an interview with John O'Brien, a trainee' from Pec ham, and coverage of how the government wants to co THE Durham Voices Project was set up recently by Keith Armstrong, a Community Arts Worker who has previously been involved in the publishing venture "Strong Words"

Strong Words, based around the North East publishes inexpensive booklets about working class life in the area, past and present, written largely by working class people. Content is considered more important than "style" and tapes are used so that people communicate their experiences directly.

Their publications include "Hello, Are You Working?"' "Tell Me What Is Real' (memories of the thirties), "Shipyard Muddling" (poems side welder) and •Revolt Against the Age of Plenty" collection of articles written by Jack Common.

Like •Strong Words" Durham Voices is committed to publishing the work of working class writers. It is based in Durham City but encompasses many of the surrounding colliery villages.

Campaign for Gay Rights To join or affiliate, write to Chris Richardson, 21 Devonshire Promenade, Lenton, Nottingham NG7 2DS. £5 for individuals, or for affiliated organisations, per ruuu 1 AAA members; £2 low-waged individuals, £l unwaged.

About thirty people attended the first meeting to launch the project and there was some confusion about what kind of project "Durham Voices" should be. A "professional" writer suspected some kind of conspiracy was taking place and, fortunately, decided to leave.

Other people could not understand that Art is political. It was said that we should publish anything that is good, regardless of its content. What is "good" has always been decided by the Literary Establishment and, consequently, there are few openings in the publishing • rat race for worker writers. They could not see that. working class people have stories to relate about their work and things to say about social and political issues but are denied the opportunity to do so.

I am pieased to report that these people have dropped out and we are now left with about a dozen people who are committed to developing the project in a socialist direction and specifically promoting working class writing.

At present we are collecting material for the first issue of our magazine which we hope will become quarterly. The first issue will reflect a wide range of issues that are taking place in the Durham Coalfield and will probably include pieces on pit closures and the Durham Miners' Gala.

In future we hope to publish autobiographies by working people and we will be affiliating to the Federation of Writers Workshops and Community Publishers.

GARY LEIGETER Bloody Sunday script youth onto the schemes. TO TS!

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Socialist Organiser no: 166 Fébruaty 16' 1984 Pagé 12