Plate marks miners’ strike

A former colliery worker has designed a plate to mark the 25th anniversary of the miners’ strike.

Mr Adrian Loftus, who worked underground for four years, thought this year’s commemorations would be the last, and he wanted younger generations to learn about the struggle that miners endured.

Mr Loftus (47) a former member of the National Union of Mineworkers, who now works as a postman, has made 100 plates, which depict a striking miner.

On the back of the plate is written “Here we go” — the miners’ motto during the 1984-85 strike.

Mr Loftus, of Harcourt Street, Newark, said: “I didn’t want anything too elaborate — a good gritty picture of a miner sums it all up.

“This is a big milestone anniversary for the strikes. For someone my age the memories are still very vivid and the memories for those involved will never die.

“It was and remains a very delicate issue in these parts.

“The strike tore whole communities and families apart. Fathers never spoke to their sons again.

“I still remember the police coming through Newark on their way to the pickets.”

He said it was heart-breaking to see what had happened to mining towns after the pits had gone.

“I can remember when all these pit villages had nicely-kept gardens, there was community spirit and everyone looked out for each other,” he said.

“You could go down the pit at 16 and earn money. You would learn social skills and you were put in your place. Now it is all gone.”

Mr Loftus has also designed a series of plates for each of the 13 coal board areas throughout England and Wales. These are limited to 25 for each area.

The married father-of-three, who worked at Bilsthorpe Colliery from 1978 to 1982, started making the plates for individual collieries 12 years ago.

He has collected 360 plates from collieries across the country.

The former Deputy Prime Minister, Mr John Prescott, bought one of his plates, and he has had orders from collectors around the world.

The commemorative plates are £18. Mugs with the same design cost £6.50.

Mr Loftus hopes his next project will be a plate celebrating the 30th anniversary of the first of Nottingham Forest’s consecutive victories in the European Cup.