Incredible day with The Hatfield Brigade at the ASLEF Annual Dinner in Doncaster. We’d been invited to perform ‘Merry Christmas From Hatfield Main’ before the main speaker, none other than Mr Jeremy Corbyn.

In the event, we went on after an incredible speech by a representative of the International Brigade Memorial Trust which served as a wonderful reminder of the selfless sacrifice of the volunteers and the example they set in standing up for Socialist principles even in the face of death. There was little else to follow that but ‘No Pasaran!’ for which we were joined on stage by ASLEF President Tosh McDonald.

It went one better a few minutes later when Mr Corbyn joined us to sing ‘Merry Christmas From Hatfield Main’, which he did with gusto. This was a tremendous gesture from a man about to make a big speech to the hall, and I know The Brigade were moved by his show of solidarity and support for both the song and the community. Pete Martin shot it on video, and you can see that above.

We went from there to a cheeky flashmob in Frenchgate Shopping Centre where we raised the banner and sang out loud. Some top persuasion from Jan Pearson and the centre management caved and allowed us a few minutes free from the security guards. Jan had mentioned in passing that the managers would GET a Christmas dinner, and it was time to think about those who wouldn’t. Hehe. Top work, go get em gal!

I’d like to thank Tosh and all at ASLEF for the invite, and Mr Corbyn for walking it like he talks it and joining us in solidarity with the cause and a community standing up and trying to make a difference.

The perfect end to the gigging calendar.

2017 can’t come soon enough.

Mint.

AND REMEMBER TO BUY THE SINGLE!! From:

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/merry-christmas-from-hatfield/id1171818970