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Miners’ strike stalwarts mark epic struggle 40 years on
GREG CHALLIS reports on an event, organised by Chorley TUC, to remember the landmark struggle of the miners and their families, where calls were made for a return to working-class politics to address the issues of today
The support group’s banner on the march in 1984. Carrying the banner is the late Jack Aspinall, another miner from Coppull who worked at Bold colliery and was loyal to the end
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VETERANS from the epic 1984-5 miners’ strike marked the 40th anniversary of the miners’ strike at an exhibition and rally in Coppull, Lancashire, with speakers from the former coalfield and National Women Against Pit Closures.
Organised by Chorley TUC, they shared experiences with activists locally about their role in sustaining the year-long struggle. Members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) had refused to cross picket lines at Parkside, Wigan and Sutton Manor and Bold collieries in the St Helens area, set up by striking miners from Yorkshire, in March 1984.
They were resisting the threatened closure of pits and consequent devastation of local communities. It marked the start of the year-long miners’ strike that drew support from the labour movement across the world.
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