Catalogue

Interview
114, MA200/124/124
Mantle Oral History Project

Speaker: Richmond, Mick, 1947 - , Interviewee, Male, Coal miner; Brickyard worker; Unemployed;
Speaker: Roberts, T., Interviewer, Female

Summary of interview item: Talks about his father and grandfather, who were miners and how he followed them into mining work. Describes his work and conditions at Bagworth pit, including safety training and team work. Talks about difficulties in finding employment since the miners' strike of 1984. Talks about the mining unions, including the National Union of Miners (NUM) and Union of Democratic Miners (UDM). Gives detailed account of the national strike of coal miners in 1984, describing his own involvement as one of the "Dirty Thirty" hard line strikers from the Leicestershire coalfield. Details given of the strike include: the trade union stance, police involvement, press coverage, divided loyalties, political perspective and support for strikers. The aftermath of the strike, particularly at the personal level, is also described. Recalls difficulties in finding employment after the strike, in different types of work, possibly due to blacklisting. Talks about the closure of the pits, new industrial sites, open cast mining and coal reserves.
Place of birth: Ibstock, Leicestershire
Education: Secondary school, Lancaster.
Marital Status: Married, Children: Sons: 1 Daughters: 1
Father's Occupation:
Mother's Occupation:
Location: County: Leicestershire
Location: Town/Place: Bagworth, Coalville
Periods Covered: 1970s, 1980s, 1990s,
Language: English

Recording Date: 12/3/1991
Playing time: 1 hr 8mins
Access Restrictions: Full clearance Item Copyright: EMOHA
Summary: Yes
Transcription: No
Copies: yes
Cross Reference:

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Last updated: 08/05/02 East Midland Oral History Archive Web maintainer This document has been approved by the head of department or section.