Polisses and Candymen The Complete Works of Tommy Armstrong The Pitman Poet

Polisses and Candymen

The Complete Works of Tommy Armstrong

The Pitman Poet

Elsie enjoyed this book, donated by a customer, because of the link to her family. Elsie’s grandfather was one of the Durham miners jailed for striking during the First World War. See ‘Durham Jail’.

Tommy Armstrong (1848-1920) was born in Shotley Bridge and died in Tantobie. Most of his working life was spent in the collieries of the North East.Mines and mining provided the background to Tommy’s life and songs. He wrote about miners, their conditions and their families. Many of his works were humorous. They were sold as broadsheets and also funeral directors bought his verses for their cards. This was one of the ways that Tommy came to earn a living and to help those in need, especially those bereaved and injured following mining disasters.