Workington charity benefits from sale of Seaton miner’s memoir

When he died in 1988 at the age of 80 Mrs Violet Nutter, Chairman of Seaton Parish Council, described Jim as a 'man who loved to work for the village.'

Before Jim died he was encouraged by his granddaughter, Barbara, to write his memories of life as a miner, a life which covered more than six decades, from 1923 to 1970.  

He wrote his story longhand in a notebook and Barbara had the book photo-copied and distributed to family members, Ralph and Muriel, John and Marjorie, Margaret and Manfred, Ronald and Edna, Gerard and Margaret and Claire and William. 

Some years later Gerard transcribed his writing to print and, in 2023, his book was printed with the title ’Jim McCarten The Accidental Coal Miner.

When the 2nd edition of the book was printed 50 copies were set aside and released for sale to the public with the proviso that £2 would be donated to charity from each book.

However, the generosity of the purchasers meant that a total of £150 was raised from the sale of the 50 books.

The charities chosen by the McCarten family were Hospice at Home West Cumbria and Society for the Blind West Cumbria.

At the Workington headquarters of Hospice at Home West Cumbria on Finkle Street, Community Fundraising Coordinator, Holly Harkness accepted a cheque for £75 from Jim’s youngest son, Gerard.

Ms Harkness said: "I'd like to thank the McCarten family for the donation. 

"I'd like to wish them well and praise them for how they have honored their father."

A similar presentation was held earlier at the Whitehaven offices of West Cumbria Society for the Blind when Marie Scott accepted a cheque of £75 from Gerard McCarten.  

Copies of Jim’s book have been placed in Workington and Seaton libraries, Helena Thompson Museum, Workington, the Whitehaven library and the Cumbria Archives, Whitehaven. 

Copies of Jim McCarten The Accidental Coal Miner can be ordered through gerardmccarten567@btinternet.com.