First job, last job: bidding the Northerner's first editor Farewell

It was still dark in Wakefield when the special train hired by the National Union of Mineworkers pulled out, every seat taken with miners, former miners and their families.
Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

And not just them. People from every part of the city were on board, a whole distressed community which felt that London and the south east of England was a foreign country which had no idea of the pain caused by the continuing closure of pits
Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

The cross belonged to the Rt Rev Nigel McCullough, then Bishop of Wakefield and now just a couple of months into retirement after a decade as Bishop of Manchester. He was devastated by the suffering which he and his clergy had seen as the rock on which local communities depended was chipped away
Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

Waiting in London was the man who led the National Union of Mineworkers, Arthur Scargill. He was obstinate, tactically misguided and met his match in Margaret Thatcher. But the loyalty of the miners to him was immense and he could not be gainsaid on the relentless closure of the pits. Photograph: Guardian

As the banners showed on arrival in London, these had gone in 1991/2: Askern, Yorkshire, Bagworth, Leicestershire, Barnsley Main, Yorkshire, Creswell, Derbyshire, Dawdon, Co Durham, Dearne Valley, Yorkshire, Deep Navigation, South Wales, Denby Grange, Yorkshire, Dinnington, Yorkshire, Gedling, Nottinghamshire, Murton, Co Durham, Penallta, South Wales, Sutton Manor, Merseyside, Thurcroft, Yorkshire, Allerton Bywater, Yorkshire, Bickershaw Complex, Lancashire, Cotgrave, Nottinghamshire, Sherwood, Nottinghamshire, Shirebrook, Derbyshire and Silverhill, Nottinghamshire.
Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

And these were to follow in 1993: Bentley, Yorkshire, Bolsover, Derbyshire, Easington, Co Durham, Frickley/South Elmsall, Yorkshire, Grimethorpe, Yorkshire, Houghton/Darfield, Yorkshire, Parkside, Merseyside, Rufford, Nottinghamshire, Sharlston, Yorkshire. Taff Merthyr, South Wales, Vane Tempest/ Seaham, Co Durham, Westoe, Tyne and Wear Photograph: Guardian

The leadership was there in the van as the thousands of protesters snaked through their capital: Tony Benn, Scargill and Denis Skinner, the 'beast' of Bolsover.
Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

Their faces drew the attention of the media and were required by London newsdesks, especially when office workers and shoppers in Kensington High Street, moved by the sheer numbers and quiet dignity of the marchers, broke out into clapping and cheers
Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

But it was 'ordinary' face after 'ordinary' face which gave the demonstration its power. They did not change events and those who applauded in Kensington - then as now the richest local authority in the country in terms of residents - returned almost at once to their usual round.
Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

But it left an unforgettable impression of division within the United Kingdom and a sense that we must all work to right the imbalance between south and north. Not just on watching journalists such as Chris and myself but on some of those who held the levers of power at the time, notably Michael Heseltine. He has subsequently done more for the north than any other single politician and it was fitting that Liverpool's Labour council made him a freeman of the city this year, in spite of his leading role in these very pit closures. He accepted the honour in tears.
Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

I have never been surprised, therefore, to receive letters such as this - back in 1999 - and only sorry that the writer in this instance did not turn up to debate the issue when I kept the tryst he or she suggested outside Manchester Town Hall. That is what has been so marvellous about online journalism, notably the Guardian Northerner, and the discussions we are able to have as equals in the comment threads
Photograph: Martin Wainwright for the Guardian

But I have had my turn and it is now over. If you feel that it has been too long - 37 years in all, 25 in the north and 16 as Northern Editor, then think on the Guardian career of George Wainwright, messenger boy, secretary to CP Scott and librarian in the Cross Street office in Manchester. Here he is accepting a tea service from Laurence Scott for 65 years' service - and he wasn't retiring! Thank you one and all, a happy Easter and goodbye.
Photograph: Guardian Archive