Women's memories of miners’ strike sought

Women from coalfield areas who remember the miners’ strike of 1984-85 are being asked to contribute their stories to a new project.

The project is being run by a team based at University College London and Reading University and aims to examine women’s experience during the strike.

Historian Florence Sutcliffe Braithwaite said they wanted to speak to women with strong connections to mining communities — wives of miners, mothers, daughters or women who worked in the industry in any capacity.

"We are looking for women who both agreed and disagreed with the strike and would ask anyone for whom the strike was part of their life to come forward and contribute," she said.

Historian Natalie Thomlinson said the strike was a hugely important moment in British history.

"In conducting this research we want to write the history of women’s involvement in the strike and also shed light on a much larger question — how did women’s lives and gender roles change in mining families and communities across Britain from 1945?

"We want to look at women’s lives and attitudes as a whole, not just the strike."

Researcher Victoria Dawson said they wanted to speak to as many people as possible about their different experiences.

"Perhaps you just go on with life quietly. Perhaps you knew women who were arrested. Even if you think you have nothing to tell us please get in touch as your experiences are valuable," Victoria said.

Anyone wanting to contribute can contact the project team by emailing coalfield-women@ucl.ac.uk or calling 07902 596116.