Ow'd Hero

After securing Lottery Funding, One Together CIC commissioned Les Hilton & myself to write a song with the children from Aspull Church Primary School as part of the 'Putting Aspull on the Mineral Map' project.

The children had been learning about their mining heritage and in particular about an extraordinary man WILLIAM CROOK.

William, in his 70s, noted that the fans had stopped working at Moor No5 Pit and fearing for the lives of 20 miners, he proceeded to 'run' 3000 yds - the whole of the workings, rescuing each and every one of them. Having worked at the pit since he was 6, he was the only miner to know the workings inside out.

They called him ‘Owd Hero’ and presented him with a certificate. His response was "I’d rather a treacle butty, than a trophy and a big brass band"

The children joined me in the recording studio with John Kettle and the song can be heard here: corrieshelley.bandcamp.com/track/owd-hero