I was a spark. At westside (I believe the biggest coal preparation plant in europe at the time) in my last stint at the NCB afore redundancy. I think there were 6/7 pits fed into us. Ones I remember Wooley Redbrook North Gawber Emley Park mill Denby Grange.
My views on the strike for what it's worth. We had a mandate in Yorkshire to take industrial action on any pit threatened with closure on economical reasons. So absolutely no national ballot should have taken place (Arthur would have been skinned alive). Support came from almost all other areas including Kent. Derbyshire. South wales. And those that stayed members of the NUM in notts. Notts in the main always had a history of we're ok. **** anyone else it's their problem. They were the reason the pit closure programme escalated. To what the leadership were envisaging. Notts in denial. What I can say with utmost assurity. Is that if a Notts pit had asked for support. they would have got it from yorkshire and all those that supported us at the time. History has taught us that the UDM leaders were the puppets of Thatcher. And a term I use very rarely, scabs till they die.
If you have SKY watch Britannia - "drama" about the Roman Invasion of Britain, he plays the centurion in charge - its absolutely barking mad, I can't even really explain it, you have to watch it. Brilliantly barmy.
Surely those that seek to perpetuate division of communities is somewhat akin to the reasons racism exists i.e. passing one's own prejudices and beliefs and hatred of certain people on to their children. It is like those vendettas between families which have gone on for so long the reasons for the continuing conflict no longer exist. Hatred and bitterness ruins lives of both targeter and targeted. Forgive (but not forget), rather than ostracize whole communities especially where the majority had little or nothing to do with the cause.
Of course over time. Conflict will die out. Hatred of the Nazis and the Japanese actions during WWII. Are not passed on re the people of those countries now. But history has to remind folk of what could and did happen. Who'd have thought the Russians (or Putin) Would commit to such actions as they are doing. In the 21st century. I allus think back to the Sting song. 'Russians' the lyrics are so meaningful. But the polls (if not made up) Suggest 2/3rds support the war. You say forgive and forget. And I understand. But these things are not trivial matters. What I can never forgive, were/are the perpetrators. I will never forgive and forget what Boris/Thatcher and their tory supporters did/do. And will teach and preach. What they stand for and why I'm against em. It'll be up to others to make their mind up.
The incentive ballot didn’t split us apart it was overwhelmingly against the scheme but the Notts are a went against the majority and implemented it . The Notts area had these agitators as I said previously undermining the NUM secretly sponsored by the Government with propaganda Leaflets . There is no way the Notts miners that intended to work were gonna adhere to any sort of ballot, Why would they go against the vote for the incentive scheme then sanction a strike vote ? The national union knew about the scab underground movement and tried the not crossing picket lines instead , which worked until Maggie sent the Police thugs and bombarded Notts with propaganda that there was no pit closure programme which we all knew were lies but the Notts miners amongst others were lied to as was proven .
Nothing like Racism etc , the People who suffer Racism etc didnt cause their own persecution by undermininig their own communities causing suffering in these communities inflicted by people who sole aim was profit .
If your referring to me Bazza Mexborough 72-75 Craft Barnsley 75-78 Technicians 77 exam was a farce. we sat the wrong syllabus throughout the year. So failed. And had to repeat the complete course year after. Practicals at Manvers. Elsecar was in the South Yorkshire coalfield. I'm guessing you were taught in The Barnsley coalfield facilities. Forget what MIBBS stands for. But i didn't progress to AMEME.
Mining industrial basic studies , one b too many soz. Did you work under mi brother at Wooley washer ????. Wasn't a very nice bloke . Think we speak at games.
I think I now know who you are Bazza. Did we meet at the Driver awareness course by any chance. When I put my foot in it lol. If so I once told your bro. I wouldn't pi55 on him if he was on fire. But then to be fair. He got me out of a sticky situation with my Shift engineer. But I worked under him on occasion .and didn't always see eye to eye shall we say lol. And I'm trying to be careful what I say. I heard you fought like cat and dog. But always looked out for one another lol. If I'm wrong I think I've wasted a couple of minutes of your time.
Always nice to meet up with you Baz. I remember you asking me to tell your young un what he was like, I toned it down a little lol. Sad that you don't speak. But sheite happens mate.
I've Moved over to Mapplewell mate. Since covid I've not got out as much to see bands. but getting back into it. ( Getting tickets for Big country at Birdwell in oct. though mate) Stuart transferred with me from Elsecar to Westside via Fence. ( I talked the manager at westside. Pr1ck I think his name was. into setting all 4 of us on. from fence. All being ex washer sparks at Elsecar.) I think he ended up on thi brothers shift. (I'm trying to think who was the other shift charge eng. Mine was George. ) I still keep in touch with Stuart. I know his bother Graham very well. Drop on him now and again. Graham a Barnsley fan. Stu a Blunt. Btw. But a good friend, suppose we can forgive some things lol.
I used to stand with Graham on the old brewery stand.However he lost interest now. Both good lads, I know Stuart too. Not seen am for a bit now 2 top lads. I remember George he was a half decent footballer too.
Putting aside the politics and economic hit on mining areas like Barnsley. That shouldn't ever be forgotten. Have to say though, I'm certainly happier seeing young uns today having more of a career choice other than been pushed towards the pits and glassworks etc. Especially the safety aspects of working underground. That's not taking away the importance of the jobs those mine workers etc did. It's somewhat evolution. It will be the same with the oil industry once we crack nuclear fusion as our energy source, can't see anything other than that being the future (sooner than we realise).
Mate, I wasn't a miner (steelworker), and I thought my memory was playing tricks reading this thread. I was sure a vote was taken as you state, at conference level re closure on economical grounds, so once Cortonwood was announced ,the mandate came into force, no vote required. As for the Notts mob, my late father in law ( started tramming for his dad at 13. 1922, ) told me many years before the strike that they had scabbed in 26 and had form for it since, so I for one was not surprised that they scabbed again. For what it's worth, as a non miner I thought you were on for a win before the deputies back tracked, I've read since that thatch was ready to cave in but Magregor talked her out of it and soon after the deps changed their mind and stayed in. As I say not a miner but took a lot of interest in the struggle and thought we should have done more along with other unions. The notts mob got what they deserved in the end but at an enormouse cost to the rest of industry and we are still suffering as a region many years on. I for one will never forget the traitors of Nottingham area. Will always be scabs to me. Let the eventual betrayal of the notts miners be a warning to all tory voting working/middle class people, they are not for you, never was never will be.
Yes the mandate came from a vote. carried. By the Yorkshire coalfield. Re the deputies. I'd have to pass. As I can't remember exactly what went on. I think and stand corrected. They may have voted to back the NUM but their leaders struck up some sort of a deal with Magregor. Also. some were needed to keep the pits alive so so speak. Checking the workings. For flooding. collapses, build up of gas etc. Its probably the reason there was no backlash.
