Working-class voices in County Durham’s former pit communities call for renewable hope

BLACKHALL has helped shape a citizens’ manifesto calling for a fair, community-led energy transition which will bring jobs and prosperity to County Durham.

The Durham Energy Manifesto, launched at Redhills, the ‘Pitman’s Parliament’ in Durham this month, was the work of a 30-strong team of everyday people from across County Durham, with Blackhall residents making up almost half of the group.

And now the document will be used to draw policymakers ‘ attention to the crucial need for the switch to clean power to benefit the communities that live through the changes.

Alison Paterson, manager of Blackhall Community Association, played a key role in recruiting volunteers to join the new grassroots Durham Energy Council, formed 18 months ago.

She said: “The people of Blackhall, and so many other former pit villages, know what a bad transition looks like because our communities suffered through it when the pits closed and no plans were made for the people and the communities left behind.

“This time, we want it to be different as the world does the right thing and switches to renewables to combat climate change.

“This time, though, we want the energy transition to be done with us, not just ‘to’ us.”

Guided by the principles of “being good ancestors” and learning from the region’s industrial heritage, the manifesto calls for:

• A future-proofed energy system built on secure, sustainable power
• Government support to ensure communities are not left behind
• Good-quality green jobs and accessible training
• Legally binding Citizens’ Assemblies on energy policy
• Trusted and transparent information on climate progress

The document is now being sent out to the 100 most important policy shapers in the region to show them what ordinary people across County Durham want to see happen as efforts to combat climate change continue.

The manifesto references the historic role of Durham miners and the Pitman’s Parliament at Redhills, arguing that the North East must once again play a leading role in national energy conversations.

Adam Cooper, director of Threads in the Ground, the charity which put together the Council,  said: “The North East is leading the renewable energy transition, and a just transition means ensuring working-class voices help shape what comes next. 

“This is an opportunity to learn from the collapse of Britain’s coal industry, which devastated our communities, in order not to repeat the mistakes of the past. 

“Former miners, workers, and the local community must be consulted so they are not left behind.

“This new industry is a unique chance to rebuild social connections and community. With the right foundations, extraordinary achievements are possible.”

The Durham Energy Council is made up of a team of volunteers, aged between 18 and 85 and drawn from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences across County Durham, united by a willingness to listen, learn and come to their own conclusions 

Its goal is to ensure working-class voices have a meaningful voice in the UK’s renewable energy transition and help ensure the economic benefits of the shift to renewables stay local.

Above all, they wanted to avoid the example of the botched energy transition a generation ago, which saw coal mines and heavy industry closed down across County Durham, and their communities left behind to wither and fail.

Inspired by Durham’s historic Pitman’s Parliament, the Council took part in workshops and field trips to learn about energy systems and inform and develop the manifesto.

Key demands of the manifesto ensure the move to cleaner energy benefits communities, creates good jobs, and leaves no one behind.

Community centre manager, Alison, who is the daughter and granddaughter of miners, and who sits on the Council, said: “The people of County Durham understand energy better than most because our communities helped power Britain for generations. 

“This manifesto is about ensuring that, as we move towards cleaner energy, ordinary people are not ignored.

“We want a transition that creates opportunities, protects communities and gives future generations a fairer, safer world.”

It is expected that 25,000 new energy jobs will be created by 2035, with a host of benefits potentially in the pipeline for North East people and their communities if the transition is done right.

So, the Durham Energy Council hopes the manifesto will spark wider public discussion and encourage policymakers, businesses and communities to work together on creating a just and sustainable energy future for all.

It aims to be energetic in highlighting the once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure that ordinary people are deeply involved in the shift and benefit from it.

Copies of the manifesto, sealed with coal dust, are being sent to the North East’s 100 Top Energy Influencers – the people currently helping shape the region’s energy transition.

Key influencers on the list include political figures such as the North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, and Sam Rushworth MP, industry leaders including the chief executive of Offshore Energies UK, David Whitehouse, and vice president of UK Renewables, Equinor, Halfdan Brustad. It also includes Claire Lund, chief sustainability officer at the National Grid.

Also included are academics such as Fiona Hill, Chancellor of Durham University, and community energy activists, as well as figures from East Durham Trust and charities such as National Energy Action. Other key figures include leaders from cultural organisations, such as Beamish Museum’s CEO, Rhiannon Hiles.