Decorator Profile
The first Miners Rugby League shirt
that closed after 1984 in England, Scotland and Wales to mark the closure of Britainʼs last deep mine in 2015. “When we designed this shirt, we approached the National Coal Mining museum in Wakefield and asked if they would mind us using their logo on the shirt to give it a bit of backbone. Because they loved the idea of the shirt so much they agreed and now sell our shirts in their shop. This is now one of our best- selling shirts.”
Graham adds that there is always a demand for all of the Miner Wear rugby shirts because they represent different eras of coal mining history. Grahamʼs latest mining related project is working in conjunction with the Friends of the Durham Miners Gala to produce a range of official merchandise for the annual gala. Approximately 250,000 people attend the annual event, which is more than the number of festival-goers
The Battle of Orgreave shirt
who attended Glastonbury earlier this year. “Even if we only sell to 10% of those who attend, it will revolutionise our business,” says Graham. Graham aims to produce a range of ties, rugby shirts, hoggers and polo shirts for the event.
Rugby and mining Carol Murdie busy at work
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
The link between mining and rugby may not be immediately obvious, but Graham says it dates back to when working-class players in the north of England werenʼt getting paid to play rugby and the northern clubs wanted to compensate their hardworking players for time away from their jobs. This caused a split across the country and the formation of the Northern Union in 1895. The rugby league was the first to start paying its players, who predominately worked down the pits or in the flour mills. As well as producing rugby shirts inspired by his miner granddad, Graham is also adept at producing other forms of sportswear, such as football kits, cycling jerseys and various types of leisurewear. Contracts that Graham has worked hard to get include working with charities Forward Assist, a charity that helps to engage veterans in community projects to utilise their skill base, and Foundation of Light, Sunderland FCʼs official charity. Over the years Graham has designed and manufactured various football kits and cycle jerseys for several fundraising events. Graham is clearly passionate about what he does, and this extends from the subject matter to the make-up of the garments themselves. Miner Wear can proudly claim that 100% of each garment is made in Britain. Everything from the elastic used to the zips are sourced from UK suppliers and then the garments are hand stitched by members of Grahamʼs family. His mum Carol used to work at Dewhirst and so has experience in sewing and stitching, while his dad Trevor manages the accounts. “When I started the business it was
The Kellingley shirt
always the dream that my mam would be the first to be employed, because she knows what I want. All credit to her, the stitching is spot on and if sheʼs not happy with her work she will unpick it and start over,” says Graham. At the moment Graham says he is working with a local equestrian company, which is interested in a bespoke range of leggings and T shirts. “They have moved from having their garments produced in Pakistan, to having them produced down the road with us. What they really love is that they are getting a 100% truly British product.”
True passion
Although Graham was not alive at the peak of coal mining in the north east (he is affectionately known as a strike baby by older members of the community as he was born in 1984), the effect of the closures was rife throughout his childhood and is still present to some extent today.
Graham explains: “The closures of the collieries not only affected the miners, but the surrounding communities. Each colliery represented a community and the closure would cause a split. “I get asked all the time where my passion comes from and how I do what I do when I havenʼt lived through it. My answer is, if you throw a stone in a lake and watch the ripple effect, itʼs the same with my family and the community. “Everybody is caught up in the ripple
effect of that stone thrown in 1984. The community lost everything and it is slowly, but surely coming back. We have turned from a country that manufactures and exports out, to a country that relies on services and imports goods. Thatʼs the ripple effect. “Miner Wear is for the next generation. I think the kits I have designed will get the children of tomorrow talking about the past. This is my park bench and I hope to immortalise the memory of my granda and the history of mining forever.”
November 2017 | 71 |
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