How Black Were Our Valleys: A 30th Commemoration of the 1984/85 Miners' Strike - Paperback

by Natalie Butts-Thompson (Author), Deborah Price (Author)

How Black Were Our Valleys All profits from the sale of this book go to 'The South Wales Area - Miners' Beneficiary Fund, ' which helps ex-miners and their families both socially and medically. To commemorate 30 years since the 1984/85 miners strike, we have collected a variety of memories, stories, poems and events that happened during that time. A law professor who helped the miners with free legal advice, and also set up the Rhymney Valley Miners' Support Group. An inspirational speech that led to the making of this publication. Stories of hardship, solidarity, overcoming prejudices and adversity add to the diversity of this collection. Women who changed their outlook on life completely. The government tactics used against the striking miners. Those who were just children at the time and the impact it had on them when they were growing up. The generosity of all those that came out in support of the striking miners. What happened after the strike? Why did all those mines have to close? The memories and accounts are personal, these are the stories that didn't get to the mainstream media, but are extremely important regardless, not just to the South Wales Mining Community, but also to all those communities that were involved .

Author Biography

Natalie and Deborah are 2nd year history students at University of South Wales, in Treforest. The book was written as part of their work placement with the NUM in Pontypridd. Natalie comes from a family of miners, with her dad and grandad both working in the pits, her own story is included in the book. Debbie writes short stories and poetry.