In 1984 I spent 12 months photographing the Miners' Strike in the UK. The dispute started when the Conservative government, led by Margaret Thatcher, announced the closure of Cortonwood Colliery in Yorkshire. This was to be the first of 20 pit closures with the loss of 20,000 jobs. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) responded by calling for a national strike.
Twenty years later in 2004, I revisited some of the mining communities that I had originally photographed. This resulted in a touring exhibition called 'Strike84'. The whole experience has been an uplifting one but tinged with sadness. It was good to see old friends again but at the same time, sad to see what has happened to these once proud communities.
Images and editing: Martin Shakeshaft
Music: Dave Bowmer
More Images can be seen at www.strike84.co.uk
