In the mid 80s, whilst the miners’ strike was the focal point of my community, I was doing a degree in Behavioural Science as a (im)mature student at Huddersfield Poly.

In my final year I had to choose a subject for my 10,000 word dissertation and so, coming from Barnsley, I chose to write about Women Against Pit Closures and the changes that came about as a result of that movement.

I referenced it with classic sociology texts such as Family and Kinship in East London by Young and Wilmott and I sprinkled it with Marxist references including the State and Revolution by Valdimir Lenin. Word processors were just about being born, so we had to find people to type dissertations up. After they read my text, the first person who was to type my dissertation went on their own strike because I appeared to be a revolutionary.

Credit Unknown – Courtesy of NCMME

The practical part of my dissertation concerned attending and knocking about with Barnsley Women Against Pit Closures. I had a ball!

I borrowed the media department’s chunky video camera, filmed conferences and rallies and other events, and interviewed them. We even hired a minibus and took them picketing to Barnoldswick for the Silent Night dispute, where we had a ‘few drinks’ on the way back.

One woman went on to write a book of poetry about the strike and I got it illustrated for her by the art students.

I attended meetings and it was eventually passed that I was to become an ‘Honorary Member’ of Women Against Pit Closures.

I was overwhelmed by the warmth and generosity of the group and am very proud to have been made an Honorary Member of WAPC.

I can’t wait to see We’re Not Going Back at the Grove Hall, South Kirkby and raise a glass to those women of the working class! Book tickets here

Charlie Robinson – Leader of South Kirkby and Moorthorpe Town Council