Strike84 Images From the 1984 Miners Strike by Photographer Martin Shakeshaft (Full Version).

In 1984 I spent 12 months photographing the Miners' Strike in the UK. The dispute started when the Conservative government, led by Margaret Thatcher, announced the closure of Cortonwood Colliery in Yorkshire. This was to be the first of 20 pit closures with the loss of 20,000 jobs. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) responded by calling for a national strike.

At it's height 165,000 miners were out on strike. They were supported by people from all over the world. In many communities miners' wives pushed the struggle forward, joining picket lines and arranging communal food kitchens. The state responded by putting more and more police into the coal fields. After 51 weeks on strike, a special delegate conference of the NUM voted by 98 to 91 votes to return to work. These pictures document that struggle.

Twenty years later in 2004, I revisited some of the mining communities that I had originally photographed. This resulted in a touring exhibition called 'Strike84'. The whole experience has been an uplifting one but tinged with sadness. It was good to see old friends again but at the same time, sad to see what has happened to these once proud communities.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Miners
• strike
• NUM
• sacrgill
• thatcher
• mining
• coal
• martin
• shakeshaft

[blaydonracez]

I'm 22 years old from Newcastle. The men in my family were miners. I only hear about this time I can't really imagine how hard it was for them, Ahh the pride in their voices when they talk about the pit, things are hopeless for people my age and all you people who think you are better you are wrong because now its your class suffering Britain died in '84 the whole country should have downed tools what do we have left now a fascist Police Force and Thatcherite governments well done and thanks!

[onlywhenpissed]

You can't stop me I'm part of the union. Bullshit. Put your backs into it, graft and stop going on strike over a snapped bootlace.

[blowlamp666]

@blowlamp666 the shit hole we live in is surrounded by water , the greedy power companies can do what they like, as they know we can't just upsticks and walk away, there is just no solidarity amongst the true brits anymore, as some of our countrymen are living hand to mouth, to stand up to these classless puppets would spell disaster for them,

[blowlamp666]

@gotmihandstuck , im a union shop steward, if your to much of an activist they work you out, just being a thorn in the managements side is just as good, you mention industrial action and some members will back down as they are at the mercy of the capitalist financial institutions of this country ,with mortgages and other debts, that bitch thatcher sold us off to the greedy profiteering privateers of this once great nation,and cameron is no different

[blowlamp666]

@vivascargill im just reading that book now, seamus milne along with king arthur is an hero

[gotmihandstuck]

we need the unions back, we need to get justice for every one that stood on ANY picket line, we need the activists back ... we need to hear the people of britain tell these MPS your out of touch... as always... We need a political party based on the rule book.... of life....the ones we have now are not fit for purpose.

(Walter Cooper rip) NEVER FORGET

[vivascargill]

remember Joe and Davy have a prayer or a thought for them

[vivascargill]

@joop4147 I can't add much to that!

[joop4147]

@vivascargill she was a cuntan i hate her, i remember it like yesterday an david cameroon is her puppet son1

[mikejackson215]

6 minutes 22 seconds Is that the despicable Mr Windsor or am I mistaken? Great pics, thank you