Such a beautiful tribute to those poor 266 miners who perished in the pit that day the 22nd September 1934. 255 men are still buried deep below the ground. My home is 2 miles from the old pithead and I know people who lost a loved one that fateful day.
My grandad, and his son, my uncle, both had the blue scars. From Whitburn, proud geordies, and they never spoke about it. It was like they had been soldiers, and such talk was not for the likes of us, especially lucky me, a southern softy to them, but loved, being the bairn of my Grandads daughter. Tears, never forget, these people were the force, behind the power, of the greatest Empire on earth - it was coal powered!, they dug for victory night and day, and both died of industrial disease, the kind Mark Knopfler sung about. Never forget, the greatest gift to the world, from the English, is the brass band, I played sop for years, no wonder me mam used to cry when I was marching with the band.
My first recollection of Durham Big Meeting was when the Easington band marched in silence to the racecourse. Shortly afterwards my dad took me for a walk to ‘touch the Easington banner’. A band started playing and dad stopped walking. He said, ‘It’s the miners' hymn’ and stood in silence until the band stopped playing. As a nine-year-old I didn’t understand the significance of what was happening, but I do now. My dad, disabled with silicosis from the age of twenty-nine, had been a miner at the Washington Glebe pit. Whenever I hear Gresford I get quite emotional in memory of him.
it was my Dads favourite piece and would bring tears to his eyes when they played it at Durham Cathedral during the Miners Gala, as an old Labour and Trade Unionist, what could we do but play it during his funeral service, last February, brings tears to my eyes now as well.
Thanks to Grimethorpe's rendition of Gresham hymn tune. This also was my late father's favourite hymn. Being a miner for over ,40 years he always said that it was not a job but it was a fraternity. He loved this hymn and always brings a tear to my eyes even though dad passed away 25 years ago. Sadly missed.
A tune without class distinction, no racism, no politics, no favourites, no winners, no losers....just a tune to evoke memories of tin baths, smokey streets, community spirit, pits and factories but more than anything else, loved ones lost. To all those who grieve in loss..stay strong and live life as the one you've lost would want yo to.
This is so beautiful. I have been privileged to broadcast to most of industrial Britain and chat to many miners live on radio- outstanding people. Bless Them and Thank Them. I love Grimethorpe.
Miners Gala the morra here in Durham City...I sit here having sought out this tune....tears fall....father a miner an his da afore him....god bless the miners and their families....
As an old Durham miner I remember hearing this beautiful hymn at Durham Big Meeting when I was a boy. As I got older it has always brought a tear to my eye as I think of all the miners who gave their lives in the quest for coal. May the Lord be kind to miners and their families.
I also stood many a time at the big meeting to hear this tune. My Dad was from Linton near Ashington, a mining community tho he never went down the pit. He went to Uni and became a teacher, first of the family ever to do so. Blessed be those who toil in the dark. The history of mining is not a pretty one.
@@helenswan705 With the mining history of both Ashington and Durham it is hard to believe that their children have never seen/touched a piece of coal. I still go to the big meeting and I purposely wait around where the speeches are made to hear the chosen band play this wonderful hymn.
I was born in London, more years ago than I care to remember. I moved to Co Durham nearly seven years ago and whilst I have always loved industrial history and the Old Labour Party (none of this 'NEW labour for me!) since coming to the NE I have really begun to understand how the miners of this country toiled and suffered to make this country rich. And for what? To be discarded like a pile of rubbish. Maggie has a lot to answer for.
The miners of Britain were of a special breed, let us not forget that the miners of Gresford were also in a Welsh pit and that their sacrifice was given for the sake of a wider Britain. My gran lost five first cousins in this disaster, I have at least one living relative who was there on the day as a lamp boy. My great grandad died in Black Park, Chirk. My great uncle died in Naomi Philedelphia. Don't let us forget the men who toil beneath the ground, let us bow and thank God we are not there.
Hats off to all the miners and their families ! As an italian I was aware of the 1956 Marcinelle disaster in which 262, mostly italian emigrants, died, but we miss such a beatiful hymn. Thanks for sharing.
I was born in London but moved to the north east of England ten years ago. During the 80s I was saddened by the miners struggles, during the 90s I was a student at university and I was marching. It was amazing to see people from all communities banding together to support the miners. Black, white, young, old, all political parties and all backgrounds. For once you were made to feel as if you had a voice. Did they listen? No Mrs T was out to break the miners no matter what. The irony of it all is they are opening drift mines here anywhere they can get permission. We still need coal but now import from other countries. This hymn was played in Durham Cathedral last year, before the Showing of 'Will & Testament', a film about the life of Tony Benn. The cathedral was packed and when the hymn began we all stood up. It was so moving. I was proud to be there and I'll be at the Miners Gala this year again, with my Welsh friends to remember and pay tribute to those miners, to whom we owe so much. God Bless them all.
Everytime I hear this a tear comes to my eye, not only for the lives lost but also because of the fact it was my Grandfather's favourite hymn and he sadly passed away December last year. He like I was very passionate about Brass music and Brass Bands. Throughout the year he'd travel to the Beamish open air museum just to listen to which ever of County Durham's Brass Bands are playing there.
prior to having a aortic valve operation as i lay in the theatre pop music was playing, the surgeon asked me do you like our music? he seemed taken aback when I replied NO, what do you like then he asked, Brass band music I answered in particular GRIMETHORPE COLLIERY, he just shrugged, when the operation was about to start, the loud speaker system restarted, this is GRIMETHORPE COLLIERY BAND they played a wonderful programme of my favourite music, and I could not believe what happened, I found myself tapping my fingers under the covers the worries that I had were gone, the moral is this if you have to have a Tavi operation don't worry just ask for Grimethorpe (Bless them )
I have played in brass bands all my life as did my father an two brothers.My father worked in the mines many years ago in Wales and to hear this especially played by one of my favourite bands always brings a tear to my eye. Such a beautiful hymn played by a lovely sounding band. Thank you for sharing this.
spent nearly 10 years in the pits and loved every minute hard work but would never have changed it ,,,,Thatcher condemned thousands of her own people to the dole and worse for personal reasons hope she was proud,,,,,,,,,,,,
My dad worked down the pit for 40 years. Hated every day of it. Went to night school to get 6 GCEs to become a Deputy Shotfirer. Worked like a dog and put me through a private school for which I am eternally grateful, took me cycling to Otley and York, for which I am even more grateful. Every year we had a holiday of some kind . Mum sand dad were married for over45 years until dad passed with cancer. Still ride my bike with dads name on the chainstay in memory. Thatcher killed the miners by closing the pits as she would sooner pay Polish miners the wage than lads from South Yorkshire. Rant over.
As an important footnote, you will find that the governments of Wilson and Callaghan closed far more pits that Margaret Thatcher. Look it up, and you will find that I am right. I write this as the grandson of a miner and as someone who used to work for Lady Thatcher. I do not find these positions incompatible.
I Just Love This Piece Of Music A Testament To All Those Wonderful Miners My Husband And Father And Many Relatives And Friends Who Are No Longer With us God Bless You And I Salute You For All The Courage You All Bore With Dignity And Pride To keep The Home Fires BURNING God Bless You ALLXX
Such a beautiful and heartfelt rendition. The Soprano cornet makes for a wonderful 'brass band sound'. What has been done to our pits is a national disgrace.
Loftus, I heard the Soul Music progamme this morning too. It was simple and superb radio, and your moving contribution to it made me think of my own Dad - not a miner but a fireman - and how sad it was when we lost him, 15 years ago this year. I wasn't familiar with this lovely song before today, but hearing it and the stories all of you told, well....I believe there's far too much cod emotion around these days, but I shouldn't wish to know anybody who didn't feel tears in their eyes after that.
I keep coming back to this. These miners made Britain great. Only one pit left going in the country now! Britain's industry is ruined. Over 40% of our power comes from coal and most of it comes from Russia, yet we are sitting on a mountain of it. The most important thing though is to remember those who we lost though.
as a lifelong militant who still remembers the miners strike of 84/85, there remains hatred in my heart for Thatcher and her cronies who destroyed communities - not only mines! - and couldn't care less. she had more care for the fascist pinochet in chile than the working class in the UK. solidarity and love to my sisters end brothers in struggle everywhere. Doc.
This is such a very moving piece of music dedicated to the brave miners, although I nor any of my family were miners I have always thought of them as brave men. The 2 people that have voted to dislike must be conservatives bloody Thatcher lovers they should be ashamed of themselves
RIP all the miners who lost their lives over the centuries mining coal, we should also remember the women and children who also gave their lives at a time when they too went down the mines, its also nearly 50 years since Abervan a tragic accident which killed 116 children and their teachers. Mining Coal has taken many lives we should remember them all xx
Gresford Lyrics Creator, who with marvellous design The world and all that is within did make; The lofty mountain, and the mine: Hear now our prayer for Jesu's sake. Lord of the oceans and the sky above, Whose wondrous grace has blessed us from our birth, Look with compassion, and with love On all who toil beneath the earth. They spend their lives in dark, with danger fraught, Remote from nature's beauties, far below, Winning the coal, oft dearly bought To drive the wheel, the hearth make glow. Now we remember miners who have died Trapped in the darkness of the earth's cold womb; Brave men to free them, vainly tried, Still their work-place remained their tomb. All who were shattered in explosion's blast Or overcome with fatal gas have slept, Or crushed neath stone, have breathed their last; And the bereaved, who for them wept. O Saviour Christ, who on the cruel tree For all mankind thy precious blood has shed; In Life Eternal trusting, we To thy safe keeping leave our dead.
Wonderful to read. I think many people associated with the coal mining industry could be insensitive to this beautiful music and all it represents and stands for. Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful! I made this video that tells more about the tragedy: The Gresford Disaster - Sept 22nd 1934 - will have to post "video response" separately.
Unfortunately the site was closed when the video was taken. At the time it was what you now see or nothing. Maybe we will return and update sometime soon. It was the miners hymn that was significant not the exhibition.
Phasing out mining was the right thing to do, but reliance on coal should have been phased out too! Throwing out the miners onto the rubbish pile was such a terrible thing to do. I've always thought that the miners (particularly the young ones) could have been retrained to work in new industries replacing coal mining and coal energy. But Maggie Thatcher decided instead to scrap our own mines just to import foreign coal, while leaving miners on the dole. What was the point of that, other than winning a pointless political victory over Scargill and the NUM?
Tears in my eyes thinking of the men who risked their lives every day to bring up a family in a loving caring community like their fathers and grandfathers had done only for it to be taken away by some fucking bitch who couldn't wait to start a war with the hard working class of this country....If Gormley was still the miners leader not a cat in hells chance she would have wone...
Joe Gormley would not have been so stupid to call a strike without a ballot. I was an Undermanager when Gormley was NUM secretary and I had great respect for him. He was a sensible man.
true, and gormley would have sent an' old man with a young lad as pickets to have a word and thus turn the lorries back, something that 300 men couldn't achieve.
ah! i thought so when i read that you 'worked on the coalface' and then referred to being a 'mining engineer'. you're a former undermanager, i very much doubt that there is an undermanager anywhere in the uk with a good word to say for scargill, but why should you?, you were management. better to leave scargill's legacy to those whom he represented, and not to those he opposed. instead, give us your opinion on SIR ian macgregor?, he was on your side.
The Miners strike was the biggest load of bollocks ever. The coal was uneconomical because they had to keep mining deeper and deeper. So much so that it was actually cheaper to buy it in France and import it here. The taxpayer was heavily subsidising the coal industry. The strike was illegal because they didn't have a full ballot,etc etc etc. Thatcher did UK a great favour
What exactly are you mourning? The passing of an extremely dirty business? Which killed thousands of men and children. A business that gave the World global warming. Or are you just mourning the passing of a community that no longer exists? I don't believe that you know what you are mourning.
Such a beautiful tribute to those poor 266 miners who perished in the pit that day the 22nd September 1934. 255 men are still buried deep below the ground. My home is 2 miles from the old pithead and I know people who lost a loved one that fateful day.
My grandad, and his son, my uncle, both had the blue scars. From Whitburn, proud geordies, and they never spoke about it. It was like they had been soldiers, and such talk was not for the likes of us, especially lucky me, a southern softy to them, but loved, being the bairn of my Grandads daughter. Tears, never forget, these people were the force, behind the power, of the greatest Empire on earth - it was coal powered!, they dug for victory night and day, and both died of industrial disease, the kind Mark Knopfler sung about. Never forget, the greatest gift to the world, from the English, is the brass band, I played sop for years, no wonder me mam used to cry when I was marching with the band.
My first recollection of Durham Big Meeting was when the Easington band marched in silence to the racecourse. Shortly afterwards my dad took me for a walk to ‘touch the Easington banner’. A band started playing and dad stopped walking. He said, ‘It’s the miners' hymn’ and stood in silence until the band stopped playing.
As a nine-year-old I didn’t understand the significance of what was happening, but I do now. My dad, disabled with silicosis from the age of twenty-nine, had been a miner at the Washington Glebe pit. Whenever I hear Gresford I get quite emotional in memory of him.
it was my Dads favourite piece and would bring tears to his eyes when they played it at Durham Cathedral during the Miners Gala, as an old Labour and Trade Unionist, what could we do but play it during his funeral service, last February, brings tears to my eyes now as well.
Thanks to Grimethorpe's rendition of Gresham hymn tune. This also was my late father's favourite hymn. Being a miner for over ,40 years he always said that it was not a job but it was a fraternity. He loved this hymn and always brings a tear to my eyes even though dad passed away 25 years ago. Sadly missed.
A tune without class distinction, no racism, no politics, no favourites, no winners, no losers....just a tune to evoke memories of tin baths, smokey streets, community spirit, pits and factories but more than anything else, loved ones lost.
To all those who grieve in loss..stay strong and live life as the one you've lost would want yo to.
This is so beautiful.
I have been privileged to broadcast to most of industrial Britain and chat to many miners live on radio- outstanding people.
Bless Them and Thank Them.
I love Grimethorpe.
Miners Gala the morra here in Durham City...I sit here having sought out this tune....tears fall....father a miner an his da afore him....god bless the miners and their families....
John, Thanks for your comment and for sharing your memories with us.
A nice tribute.to.those two hundred + men still entombed
God bless and keep them
As an old Durham miner I remember hearing this beautiful hymn at Durham Big Meeting when I was a boy. As I got older it has always brought a tear to my eye as I think of all the miners who gave their lives in the quest for coal. May the Lord be kind to miners and their families.
I also stood many a time at the big meeting to hear this tune. My Dad was from Linton near Ashington, a mining community tho he never went down the pit. He went to Uni and became a teacher, first of the family ever to do so. Blessed be those who toil in the dark. The history of mining is not a pretty one.
@@helenswan705 With the mining history of both Ashington and Durham it is hard to believe that their children have never seen/touched a piece of coal. I still go to the big meeting and I purposely wait around where the speeches are made to hear the chosen band play this wonderful hymn.
Worked with former Durham miners in South Wales great people be proud of Durham and your miners
beautiful piece one of my dads favorites we played this many times and are playing at my dads funeral god bless dad xx
Beautiful. To hear this in Durham Cathedral after the Miner's Gala cannot fail to bring a tear to even the most hardened. Thank you for posting it.
I was born in London, more years ago than I care to remember. I moved to Co Durham nearly seven years ago and whilst I have always loved industrial history and the Old Labour Party (none of this 'NEW labour for me!) since coming to the NE I have really begun to understand how the miners of this country toiled and suffered to make this country rich. And for what? To be discarded like a pile of rubbish. Maggie has a lot to answer for.
To sing or to play music is to pray twice. The sublime music of the great brass bands is a turly fitting tribute.
The miners of Britain were of a special breed, let us not forget that the miners of Gresford were also in a Welsh pit and that their sacrifice was given for the sake of a wider Britain. My gran lost five first cousins in this disaster, I have at least one living relative who was there on the day as a lamp boy. My great grandad died in Black Park, Chirk. My great uncle died in Naomi Philedelphia. Don't let us forget the men who toil beneath the ground, let us bow and thank God we are not there.
Sadly Edward , people , though not me , have forgotten , or are not old enough to remember .
Hats off to all the miners and their families !
As an italian I was aware of the 1956 Marcinelle disaster in which 262, mostly italian emigrants, died, but we miss such a beatiful hymn.
Thanks for sharing.
I was born in London but moved to the north east of England ten years ago. During the 80s I was saddened by the miners struggles, during the 90s I was a student at university and I was marching. It was amazing to see people from all communities banding together to support the miners. Black, white, young, old, all political parties and all backgrounds. For once you were made to feel as if you had a voice. Did they listen? No Mrs T was out to break the miners no matter what. The irony of it all is they are opening drift mines here anywhere they can get permission. We still need coal but now import from other countries.
This hymn was played in Durham Cathedral last year, before the Showing of 'Will & Testament', a film about the life of Tony Benn. The cathedral was packed and when the hymn began we all stood up. It was so moving. I was proud to be there and I'll be at the Miners Gala this year again, with my Welsh friends to remember and pay tribute to those miners, to whom we owe so much. God Bless them all.
No man should be asked to go down into a black hole to earn a living.
Everytime I hear this a tear comes to my eye, not only for the lives lost but also because of the fact it was my Grandfather's favourite hymn and he sadly passed away December last year. He like I was very passionate about Brass music and Brass Bands. Throughout the year he'd travel to the Beamish open air museum just to listen to which ever of County Durham's Brass Bands are playing there.
I find these lovely melodies stir a lot of memories. I share your love of Brass Bands.
prior to having a aortic valve operation as i lay in the theatre pop music was playing, the surgeon asked me do you like our music? he seemed taken aback when I replied NO, what do you like then he asked, Brass band music I answered in particular GRIMETHORPE COLLIERY, he just shrugged, when the operation was about to start, the loud speaker system restarted, this is GRIMETHORPE COLLIERY BAND they played a wonderful programme of my favourite music, and I could not believe what happened, I found myself tapping my fingers under the covers the worries that I had were gone, the moral is this if you have to have a Tavi operation don't worry just ask for Grimethorpe (Bless them )
One of the nicest hymns I've ever heard!
Almost National Anthem-like.
@@lewissmith3896 Class not nation.
I have played in brass bands all my life as did my father an two brothers.My father worked in the mines many years ago in Wales and to hear this especially played by one of my favourite bands always brings a tear to my eye. Such a beautiful hymn played by a lovely sounding band. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you - Gressford means so much to those of us with coaldust in the veins.
A sad tune for the 200+men still entombed down there
spent nearly 10 years in the pits and loved every minute hard work but would never have changed it ,,,,Thatcher condemned thousands of her own people to the dole and worse for personal reasons hope she was proud,,,,,,,,,,,,
Laurence Doughty d
look on youtube at 'thatcher goldthorpe', it'll cheer you up.
The idea that Thatcher closed down the mines because she was evil and hated the north / working classes is a laughable one.
I love this Hymn. Let me guess all the haters have had gas central heating for well over 3 decades instead of using coal.
God Bless My Dad.Miner from the age of 14 years of age.Love You My Lovely Dad
My dad worked down the pit for 40 years. Hated every day of it. Went to night school to get 6 GCEs to become a Deputy Shotfirer. Worked like a dog and put me through a private school for which I am eternally grateful, took me cycling to Otley and York, for which I am even more grateful. Every year we had a holiday of some kind . Mum sand dad were married for over45 years until dad passed with cancer. Still ride my bike with dads name on the chainstay in memory. Thatcher killed the miners by closing the pits as she would sooner pay Polish miners the wage than lads from South Yorkshire. Rant over.
The mines were losing $ hand over fist. Cleaner greener ways were coming. No one wants a coal fire.
@@XrpCookies They're still apparently coming. Any day now.
As an important footnote, you will find that the governments of Wilson and Callaghan closed far more pits that Margaret Thatcher. Look it up, and you will find that I am right.
I write this as the grandson of a miner and as someone who used to work for Lady Thatcher. I do not find these positions incompatible.
This Music is the Richness of the Mining community, God Bless them All
I Just Love This Piece Of Music
A Testament To All Those Wonderful Miners
My Husband And Father And Many Relatives And Friends Who Are No Longer With us God Bless You
And I Salute You For All The Courage You All Bore With Dignity And Pride To keep The Home Fires BURNING God Bless You ALLXX
Such a beautiful and heartfelt rendition. The Soprano cornet makes for a wonderful 'brass band sound'. What has been done to our pits is a national disgrace.
Magnificent harmony and pathos,so moving.
Loftus, I heard the Soul Music progamme this morning too. It was simple and superb radio, and your moving contribution to it made me think of my own Dad - not a miner but a fireman - and how sad it was when we lost him, 15 years ago this year. I wasn't familiar with this lovely song before today, but hearing it and the stories all of you told, well....I believe there's far too much cod emotion around these days, but I shouldn't wish to know anybody who didn't feel tears in their eyes after that.
I keep coming back to this. These miners made Britain great. Only one pit left going in the country now! Britain's industry is ruined. Over 40% of our power comes from coal and most of it comes from Russia, yet we are sitting on a mountain of it. The most important thing though is to remember those who we lost though.
as a lifelong militant who still remembers the miners strike of 84/85, there remains hatred in my heart for Thatcher and her cronies who destroyed communities - not only mines! - and couldn't care less. she had more care for the fascist pinochet in chile than the working class in the UK. solidarity and love to my sisters end brothers in struggle everywhere. Doc.
Let's forget politics my friend. Let's remember those men and just appreciate what a wonderful piece of music this is.
Some beautiful filming shots in this video BTW, I've been playing it all day
Im a seaman not a pitman------------------god bless the bonny pit lads!
Beautiful. Thanks for posting.
Out of the depths have I cried to you O Lord
August 6 2024, E x Durham miner that will be played at my funeral ❤😊.
I saw the 'Pitmen Painters' play in Sheffield a few years back and they used this hymn to close the show, with the whole house in tears.
me too
This is such a very moving piece of music dedicated to the brave miners, although I nor any of my family were miners I have always thought of them as brave men. The 2 people that have voted to dislike must be conservatives bloody Thatcher lovers they should be ashamed of themselves
Beautiful !!!!
RIP all the miners who lost their lives over the centuries mining coal, we should also remember the women and children who also gave their lives at a time when they too went down the mines, its also nearly 50 years since Abervan a tragic accident which killed 116 children and their teachers. Mining Coal has taken many lives we should remember them all xx
Gresford Lyrics
Creator, who with marvellous design
The world and all that is within did make;
The lofty mountain, and the mine:
Hear now our prayer for Jesu's sake.
Lord of the oceans and the sky above,
Whose wondrous grace has blessed us from our birth,
Look with compassion, and with love
On all who toil beneath the earth.
They spend their lives in dark, with danger fraught,
Remote from nature's beauties, far below,
Winning the coal, oft dearly bought
To drive the wheel, the hearth make glow.
Now we remember miners who have died
Trapped in the darkness of the earth's cold womb;
Brave men to free them, vainly tried,
Still their work-place remained their tomb.
All who were shattered in explosion's blast
Or overcome with fatal gas have slept,
Or crushed neath stone, have breathed their last;
And the bereaved, who for them wept.
O Saviour Christ, who on the cruel tree
For all mankind thy precious blood has shed;
In Life Eternal trusting, we
To thy safe keeping leave our dead.
Love this.
Wonderful to read. I think many people associated with the coal mining industry could be insensitive to this beautiful music and all it represents and stands for. Thanks for sharing.
My father was a wee lad at this mine as his father was a miner, his father didn't talk much of it but my father and my mum did though:)
@loftustiger was that you on the radio this morning on Soul Music on Radio 4? what an amazing tune. It does bring tears to the eyes.
Sadly it feels like an epitaph for so much more.
it's not the horns that make thi hymn tune but thre bass section that add the emotion to the piece
Yeah, read below 266 men in 1934!
Beautiful. Almost National Anthem-esque.
Hear! hear!
Gresford
10
Out10
Top.brass
Good
Wonderful! I made this video that tells more about the tragedy:
The Gresford Disaster - Sept 22nd 1934 - will have to post "video response" separately.
A bit less wire mesh would have been good. I worked on the coal face at Woodhorn in the late 1960's as part of my training as a Mining Engineer.
Unfortunately the site was closed when the video was taken. At the time it was what you now see or nothing. Maybe we will return and update sometime soon. It was the miners hymn that was significant not the exhibition.
Love a new one to be made without the mesh - really spoils it - this is the best version how about a new video soon
It makes me sad. A lovely piece of music though.
think it was to comemorate the men lost in the cresford mining disaster inthe 20.s
Phasing out mining was the right thing to do, but reliance on coal should have been phased out too! Throwing out the miners onto the rubbish pile was such a terrible thing to do. I've always thought that the miners (particularly the young ones) could have been retrained to work in new industries replacing coal mining and coal energy. But Maggie Thatcher decided instead to scrap our own mines just to import foreign coal, while leaving miners on the dole. What was the point of that, other than winning a pointless political victory over Scargill and the NUM?
and who are the 5 that dislike 🤔
Tears in my eyes thinking of the men who risked their lives every day to bring up a family in a loving caring community like their fathers and grandfathers had done only for it to be taken away by some fucking bitch who couldn't wait to start a war with the hard working class of this country....If Gormley was still the miners leader not a cat in hells chance she would have wone...
Joe Gormley would not have been so stupid to call a strike without a ballot. I was an Undermanager when Gormley was NUM secretary and I had great respect for him. He was a sensible man.
true, and gormley would have sent an' old man with a young lad as pickets to have a word and thus turn the lorries back, something that 300 men couldn't achieve.
ah! i thought so when i read that you 'worked on the coalface' and then referred to being a 'mining engineer'.
you're a former undermanager, i very much doubt that there is an undermanager anywhere in the uk with a good word to say for scargill, but why should you?, you were management.
better to leave scargill's legacy to those whom he represented, and not to those he opposed.
instead, give us your opinion on SIR ian macgregor?, he was on your side.
The Miners strike was the biggest load of bollocks ever. The coal was uneconomical because they had to keep mining deeper and deeper. So much so that it was actually cheaper to buy it in France and import it here. The taxpayer was heavily subsidising the coal industry. The strike was illegal because they didn't have a full ballot,etc etc etc. Thatcher did UK a great favour
You talk like you have a piece of string hanging out of your mouth monthly. Munt
Price of coal? Hundreds of deaths.
Great Hymn. The miners strike was futile and pathetic.
What exactly are you mourning? The passing of an extremely dirty business? Which killed thousands of men and children. A business that gave the World global warming. Or are you just mourning the passing of a community that no longer exists? I don't believe that you know what you are mourning.
well I do. I know exactly what I mourning. Your comments are disrespectful.