Since 2016, the documentary series Our Lives has focused on highlighting local and regional stories from across the United Kingdom, bringing attention to personal and community experiences often overlooked by mainstream media. Its latest edition centers on Peter Lawson, the longtime secretary of the Easington Colliery Band and the last surviving member who was formerly employed as a miner.

Lawson has been involved with the band for 55 years and served as its secretary for four decades. Despite the closure of the Easington colliery in 1993, the band remains active, continuing a tradition deeply rooted in the local community’s history and identity. The documentary follows the band as they prepare for a memorial concert at Durham Cathedral, marking the 75th anniversary of the Easington Colliery disaster, a tragic mining accident that claimed 83 lives.

The concert serves not only as a tribute to those who lost their lives but also as an occasion to bring the community together through shared memory and collective reflection. The film captures the significance of the event and the role that Peter Lawson and the band play in strengthening community bonds through their music and dedication.

Directed by Victoria Holden, the documentary offers a poignant exploration of heritage and resilience, illustrating how individual and group efforts can preserve cultural connections across generations. It underscores the importance of remembering local history as a means of reinforcing social cohesion in the face of industrial decline and change.