ABSTRACT
Hemsworth is a peculiar kind of industrial community in that its history remained mainly agricultural right up until the sinking of the local mines towards the end of the last century. Apart from the mining industry, the area has never possessed any other heavy industries - a factor in itself of no small significance given the decline in the coal mining industry. Proponents of the Strike, such as Arthur Scargill and Mick McGahey, argued that Cortonwood represented the beginning of a mass closure programme which threatened the lives of pits and communities throughout the country. As R. Harrison stated, as far back as 1978, in ‘The Independent Collier’, ‘we need more historical, micro-comparative studies of coal mining communities’. Add to this the question of politicisation and interest is sure to be aroused in the lessons to be learnt from this one particular community and the impact of the 1984/1985 Miners’ Strike.
