The Miners' Strike 1984 BBC Audio Slideshow

[tech_guy]

A lot of you young whipper-snappers on here won't know what the hell this is all about as you either were running around in nappies at the time or weren't even born yet.

 

Great Audio SlideShow on the BBC with some great songs from the time. A real bit of history and a real gem of reporting using photograps, songs and sounds.

Edited March 5, 2009 by tech_guy

[leco]

I remember the days very well. Over 54,000 people worked in the mining industry in Yorkshire at the time. Now there are just 3 pits open employing approx 1,300 people. Not only did the dispute smash the union it smashed the industry.

 

There are now whole regions where some people have not worked since the 80's. Villages and towns that have never recovered, along with the people who have some very bitter memories.

 

The slideshow is excellent by the way, thanks.

[SteveBentley]

A lot of you young whipper-snappers on here won't know what the hell this is all about as you either were running around in nappies at the time or weren't even born yet.

 

Being described as a "whipper-snapper" at the age of 30 is a welcome surprise!

[mattx]

Is this another Maggie bashing thread Tech_Guy ? :D:D

I hope so.

[SpuffMonkey]

Aye - different times - I lived in Sheffield then, and had worked in mine safety for a while and went on some of the marches - quite scarey. While I thought Scargill pretty stupid both tactically and strategically - you can't fault him for accuracy of what was going to happen to the industry.

 

It beggars (my) belief that its thought better to import the vast majority of our fuel, rather than just dig it out from under our own land (notwithstanding cleanliness/global warming et al), saving money and increasing jobs and skills.