VIDEO: 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times'
FORMER Shireoaks miner George Bell remained on the picket line throughout the strike and said that 25 years on, he still believes in what he and thousands others fought for.
"For me, being on strike was about showing solidarity with the other miners and the union, and I would do it again" said Mr Bell, of Carnoustie.
He added: "We thought it would not last more then two or three weeks, that's how far our planning went, so after two or three months the miners were struggling.
"We had to get the soup kitchens set up, which is when women in the area became instrumental in keeping the strike going."
As the strike raged on feelings ran high, with fathers and sons becoming enemies and best friends refusing to speak.
"Around the town and villages, certainly towards the end of the strike, there was a lot more tension. And the police were heavily involved and used a military style of policing."
Mr Bell was even arrested while on strike. He was apprehended while walking through a street at Harworth Colliery.
"I was just walking along, not doing anything wrong. I never thought I would get arrested, as I have always been a clean-living lad - it seemed senseless."
He added: "It was the best of times and the worst of times. All the miners stuck together and there was a real sense of family unity at the time. But obviously, many of the lads struggled throughout the year and it was very hard for them."
"I think history has proven the miners who striked right. The Notts miners who did not come out on strike got their comeuppance a few years later. They got their 30 pieces of silver reward at the time, but they eventually lost their jobs and now there are hardly any collieries left."
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Weather for Dinnington
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
