 |
munich58.co.ukIn memory of those who died in the munich air crash in February 1958 |
|
munich58.co.ukIn memory of those who died in the munich air crash in February 1958 |
Fifty years to the day when eight of the famous Busby Babes and fifteen fellow-travellers lost their lives in one of football's worst disasters, a free event is to be held at Ashington, Northumberland to mark the tragic anniversary.
Remember Munich is being organised as part of Wansbeck Council's heritage programme on the evening of Wednesday 6 February 2008. The coordinator for the event is author David Williams, whose recollections of childhood in the late 1950s formed the basis of his book of short stories We Never Had It So Good. For David, the Munich air crash was one of the defining memories of his junior school years.
My older brother Kevin and I were of course Newcastle United fans at the time, as we still are, but we had a soft spot for Manchester United then, not least because Bobby Charlton, who was still only twenty years of age, came from our home town. We were excited too by the skill and energy of the Busby Babes, especially Duncan Edwards, who had been playing for England since he was just eighteen.
Both Charlton and Edwards were among the squad of players returning from United's European Cup victory over Red Star Belgrade when their chartered BEA Elizabethan crashed in icy conditions on the runway at Munich airport. Charlton survived to become his country's most highly-acclaimed footballer and eventually a knight, as did his manager Matt Busby. Edwards, acknowledged by many as potentially England's greatest-ever player, died after fifteen days in hospital, the twenty-third victim of the accident.
David Williams says: I remember that Kevin and I had a set of cigarette cards that included most of the Manchester United players of the time. When we heard the details of the aeroplane crash we got out our collection of cards and sat in front of the fireplace dividing them into two piles, the survivors and the dead. Poor Duncan was one we originally placed among the survivors, but he didn't make it despite a brave struggle for life.
The incident is captured in David's book in a short story entitled Babes, which also includes contemporary local news reports about the tragedy. David will read the story and extracts from his radio play Survivor as part of the Munich memorial evening.
As far as I know, this is the only event of its type planned to mark the 50th anniversary, and certainly the only one in the North East, he says. It seemed appropriate to hold it in Ashington, where Sir Bobby was born.
The story of the disaster will be told using archive material including reports and photographs from the library of the Newcastle Chronicle & Journal who are supporting the event. The BBC have also given permission to screen the original broadcast by Kenneth Kendall that broke the news to British television viewers.
There is even a musical element. Members of Ashington Male Voice Choir will take the stage to sing their version of The Flowers of Manchester, a poignant ballad written just days after the incident that tells the story and remembers the people who died.
David Williams is seeking more archive material and memories, and would welcome creative contributions in the form of stories, poems, anecdotes or songs. David may be contacted on 01434 607715.
The event on 6 February starts at 7pm in the Bothal Suite at Ashington Leisure Centre. Entry is free but pre-booking is advised as places are limited. Tickets are available from Reception at Ashington Leisure Centre, or by ringing 01670 532380. For further information about the event or Wansbeck's heritage programme please contact Barry Mead, Community Heritage Officer at Wansbeck Council on 01670 829041 or email b.mead@wansbeck.gov.uk.