Public airing for job crusade artefacts

The Jarrow March was a protest against poverty in the town

Famous artefacts from the Jarrow March could go on public display this summer.

The original banner and petition box used by 200 shipyard workers, who marched from Jarrow to the Houses of Parliament in October 1936, are still in the town.

A 12,000 signature petition was handed in by the MP for Jarrow, Ellen Wilkinson, to the then Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin to highlight their poverty and need for work for the area.

The artefacts are stored at Jarrow Town Hall but there are hopes a permanent exhibition site will be found for the memorabilia.

A strong campaign to keep the artefacts in the town means it is proving difficult to find a place where they can go on public display.

Anniversary march

Paul Waggott, leader of South Tyneside Council, said the artefacts may go on temporary display at Bede's World during the summer.

He said: "We have been trying for a number of years to find the right place to exhibit them.

"It is difficult because In Jarrow there is not much empty space

"Luckily, there is a room at Bede's World where they can be exhibited for a short period of time towards the end of the summer."

Mr Waggott added that memorabilia from the 50th anniversary march in 1986 would also be on display.