THE original headstone of a legendary literary and mining figure officially returned home at the weekend.

A short ceremony and concert, featuring some of the works by pitman poet Tommy Armstrong, was staged to mark the return of his refurbished headstone to St Margaret’s Church, in Tanfield, County Durham.

It marked the end of a threeyear campaign by the Tommy Armstrong Society, set up in memory of the pitman and gifted poet and song-writer, whose works were in the mining vernacular of his day.

He died penniless at a friend’s house in Tantobie, County Durham, in August 1920, aged 72, but friends rallied round to erect the headstone in his memory.

It remained at his grave in St Margaret’s churchyard until August 1986, when it was replaced by a new headstone, which was unveiled by Arthur Scargill, the then leader of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).

The original headstone was moved to NUM headquarters in Redhills, Durham City, but was subsequently transferred to St Mary’s Church, in Trimdon, County Durham, where it was erected next to a memorial to the 74 men and boys killed in the Trimdon Grange pit explosion in 1882.

It was felt appropriate because Mr Armstrong’s works included a poem called Trimdon Grange Explosion.

Following the society’s formation in 2006, its members and Mr Armstrong’s descendants sought to bring the headstone back to Tanfield, the final resting place of the Pitman Poet.

Parochial church councils at Trimdon and Tanfield backed the proposal and, supported by funding from Cooperative Funeralcare, the refurbished stone was returned.

It was officially unveiled by Mr Armstrong’s grandson, Ray Tilly, assisted by society secretary Joe Wilson.

Mr Tilly, whose book Tommy Armstrong – The Pitman Poet was published last year, said it was a fitting tribute to his grandfather.

“It was a nice occasion, with about 100 or so people present.

After I said a few words and thanked various people involved, we had some wonderful entertainment provided by folk singers and instrumentalists, who performed some of his songs.”

Among them were Bettie Marshall and Diane Ward, descendants of Mr Armstrong.

Following the unveiling of the restored headstone, guests enjoyed refreshments and more tales about Mr Armstrong at The Peacock pub.