Violent clashes were common
WHAT ensued on the picket lines around South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire represents some of the most enduring images in modern industrial history.
The battle lines were drawn. NUM members on strike would do anything to ensure NUM men who wanted to work could not get anywhere near the mines.
So called 'flying pickets' would travel miles to pits where miners were hoping to go on working, and would take any action necessary to keep the so called 'scabs' out of the pits.
Vicious clashes between rival miners' factions, as well as striking miners and police, led to some horrific injuries.
The first picture shows NUM official David Potts who needed five stitches to a gash in his head, after being struck by a police truncheon at a clash at Babbington Colliery.
Others include shocking injuries sustained at a clash outside Maltby pit.
Feelings reached boiling point when news began to surface that a miner had been killed on the picket line at Ollerton.
David Jones was hit in the neck by a flying brick. He fell and punctured his chest, and later died in hospital.
The depth of feeling quickly became apparent, and Notts NUM officials were forced to concede.
At the time, Notts General Secretary Henry Richardson said the decision to pull Notts miners out of the pits was unanimous.
"I suppose, in a way, they have won, but we are talking about life and limb here, and the safety of our members," he said.
"It has been a tragic 24 hours, but we have got to think about our membership, so we have come to this compromise with the Yorkshire area."
Quickly following the announcement, a rank and file Manton miner walked into the Guardian offices to offer our readers an insight into how local miners were feeling.
"What the men want is a vote, a national ballot on an all-out strike, and it needs to be a straightforward paper, with just a 'yes' or 'no' answer, for or against the strike," said the miner, who 'dared not' be named.
He added that there was a dangerous split between miners, forcing fellow miners to fight, with no end in sight.
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Weather for Dinnington
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -4 C to 1 C
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Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
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