Skip to main content
Work with the NEU
Women militants of the great strike reunite
As hundreds of women gather in Durham today to celebrate their role in fighting pit closures 40 years ago, HEATHER WOOD reflects on experiences in her own mining community, Easington in County Durham
STAYING UNITED: Heather Wood, (front, centre) next to Betty Cook of WAPC, with Anne Scargill of WAPC (at the rear) at the Easington annual gala 2019

SITTING here thinking, my mind goes back to 1984. What was I doing, what was going on?

I have always been involved in my community, a close-knit mining village on the north-east coast, Easington.

My mam and dad, good colliery folk, were not afraid of hard work, in fact, there weren’t many in our village who didn’t work.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Matt Kerr and Mike Jackson
Features / 17 July 2026
17 July 2026

Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners co-founder MIKE JACKSON talks to Matt Kerr about the enduring power of Pride, protest and trade unionism

Durham Miners' Gala 2026 [Pic: Neil Terry]
Durham Miners' Gala 2026 / 13 July 2026
13 July 2026

Durham Miners’ Association chair STEPHEN GUY speaks to Ben Chacko about the Reform threat, what’s needed from Labour and why the Big Meeting will never lose its politics

durham 2019
Durham Miners’ Gala / 9 July 2026
9 July 2026

The Durham Miners’ Gala is a celebration of working-class culture, but also a call to action — to rebuild workers’ collective strength, says KIM JOHNSON MP

DMA general secretary Alan Mardghum
Durham Miners’ Gala / 11 July 2026
11 July 2026

Durham Miners’ Association general secretary ALAN MARDGHUM speaks to Ben Chacko about the PM-in-waiting, the threat of Reform and the radical change of direction this country needs