Topic: Excellent piece - story behind enduring miners' strike photograph

[Ailsa]

Anyone who lived through the miners' strike will no doubt remember this image. This is a really interesting article about the story behind it.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/feb/24/miners-strike-photo-don-mcphee

[LT]

Thanks for the link Ailsa. Very interesting 

I remember the problems in the East Kent mining community really vividly. Especially the campaign of the Aylesham miners wives. Very difficult times, and very different times to now. Can't imagine such a strong response these days.

[Stu]

I just learnt stuff. Thank you.

[Skorj]

A good read indeed. Thanks.

[Ed Wenn]

I have GB84 by David Peace next on my reading list so this subject matter ties in very well. Wow, though; wasn't Mr McPhee a top photographer. I particularly the like the pit ponies photo from 1972 and the kids playing footy in Oldham in 1980-something.

Cheers, Ailsa.

[Phil Bebbington]

Thanks, Ailsa, a good read - I was a police officer at the time and went up to the miners dispute on a number of occasions - interesting and happy times I must say - not much sleep but lots of money earned.

[Ed Wenn]

Thanks, Ailsa, a good read - I was a police officer at the time and went up to the miners dispute on a number of occasions - interesting and happy times I must say - not much sleep but lots of money earned.

Wow! It's a shame we don't do a podcast about politics, the labour movement or policing otherwise this would be a slam dunk for an interesting hour in the company of....

[Phil Bebbington]

Well, Ed - if ever that comes to pass count me in! I have to say, I have nothing but good stories from my visits up north. The miners that I met were a great bunch, polite and never confrontational - of course that wasn't the rule. Shit, I was having so little sleep I really was in no shape to fight. I seem to remember falling asleep on a billiard table in some pit!