We lived in Barnsley for six years a decade ago, and the economic and social scars are still only too visible across what were the South Yorkshire coalfields. There was still chronic unemployment for men, young and old. There were many hairdressers and coffee shops run by women, while the men hung around on street corners. The new 'industries' were vast call centres, better than working down a mine, but no substitute for communities. I went to a talk by Catherine Bailey who wrote that brilliant book, Black Diamonds. She and the local librarian had been out to Grimethorpe Primary School, and they had taken a lump of coal with them, because the children didn't know what coal was....
Wow, thank you for sharing that, Sarah. I know those areas have struggled since the collapse of the industries. That is amazing about Grimethorpe though.
Thanks Kate. Have you come across Joan Hart’s “At the coal face: a memoir of a pit nurse”? Hart worked in Doncaster in 1970s and onwards including during the strike era. Worth a read.
Thanks for sharing this piece Kate, really enjoyed reading it. I was born in the 80s in a mining community in North Notts and remember the mining wives and mothers were always so incredibly strong. I recently read DH Lawrence's short story The Odour of Chrysanthemums which is set much earlier but inhabits the perspective of wives and mothers near Eastwood colliery. Would definitely recommend if you haven't come across it already.
Thank you for your comment, Natalie. I'm glad you enjoyed reading it. I'm sure you could resonate with the community aspect of it. I haven't read that story but will take a look, it sounds like something I would enjoy. Thank you 😊
Great post, thank you Kate. I was in a performance of Made in Dagenham a few years ago, not about the miner's strikes, but this post reminded me of the vital role that the women workers played at the factory, and subsequently their strikes for equal pay. So many stories to be told!
A powerful and illuminating piece, Kate, thank you (great title too!). The satirical image of Margaret Thatcher stealing the miner's wife's purse is a powerful one, reminding us of the gulf between one successful & ruthless woman and the hundreds of thousands of others who were just trying to protect themselves and their families, and live decent ordinary lives. Forty years on it's a good time to remember these women's contributions, and be aware of the deep scars that remain in those fractured communities.
Thank you, Ann! Yes, the poster summed it all up, really. There is a good display of strike memorabilia in my local museum which features a roll of Margaret Thatcher loo roll...always gives me a chuckle, and shows some of the spirit of the community, I think.
We lived in Barnsley for six years a decade ago, and the economic and social scars are still only too visible across what were the South Yorkshire coalfields. There was still chronic unemployment for men, young and old. There were many hairdressers and coffee shops run by women, while the men hung around on street corners. The new 'industries' were vast call centres, better than working down a mine, but no substitute for communities. I went to a talk by Catherine Bailey who wrote that brilliant book, Black Diamonds. She and the local librarian had been out to Grimethorpe Primary School, and they had taken a lump of coal with them, because the children didn't know what coal was....
Wow, thank you for sharing that, Sarah. I know those areas have struggled since the collapse of the industries. That is amazing about Grimethorpe though.
Thanks Kate. Have you come across Joan Hart’s “At the coal face: a memoir of a pit nurse”? Hart worked in Doncaster in 1970s and onwards including during the strike era. Worth a read.
No, I haven't come across that! I will check it out, sounds interesting. Thank you 😊
Thanks for sharing this piece Kate, really enjoyed reading it. I was born in the 80s in a mining community in North Notts and remember the mining wives and mothers were always so incredibly strong. I recently read DH Lawrence's short story The Odour of Chrysanthemums which is set much earlier but inhabits the perspective of wives and mothers near Eastwood colliery. Would definitely recommend if you haven't come across it already.
Thank you for your comment, Natalie. I'm glad you enjoyed reading it. I'm sure you could resonate with the community aspect of it. I haven't read that story but will take a look, it sounds like something I would enjoy. Thank you 😊
Such a wonderful and insightful piece!
Thank you so much! 😀
Great post, thank you Kate. I was in a performance of Made in Dagenham a few years ago, not about the miner's strikes, but this post reminded me of the vital role that the women workers played at the factory, and subsequently their strikes for equal pay. So many stories to be told!
Thanks, Gareth! Wow, yes the Dagenham women were such an inspiration and would make a good study. Thank you for reading 😀
Living through this was a tough time. This really brought back those memories.
A powerful and illuminating piece, Kate, thank you (great title too!). The satirical image of Margaret Thatcher stealing the miner's wife's purse is a powerful one, reminding us of the gulf between one successful & ruthless woman and the hundreds of thousands of others who were just trying to protect themselves and their families, and live decent ordinary lives. Forty years on it's a good time to remember these women's contributions, and be aware of the deep scars that remain in those fractured communities.
Thank you, Ann! Yes, the poster summed it all up, really. There is a good display of strike memorabilia in my local museum which features a roll of Margaret Thatcher loo roll...always gives me a chuckle, and shows some of the spirit of the community, I think.
Good to see such great humour there too Kate, helping to create the community bond!
Thank you for reading, Maureen. Yes, sadly the repercussions lasted long afterwards