The 1984-1985 miners' strike in Nottinghamshire : 'if spirit alone won battles' : the diary of John Lowe

Britain's year-long miners' strike against the Thatcher administration is vividly recounted in this diary of one of its most vocal leaders. John Lowe was at the forefront of the fight for jobs during the miners strike of 1984-85. He led from the front, as the elected chairman of Clipstone Colliery's strike committee in the county of Nottinghamshire. The dirty war fought by the Thatcher Government to defeat the National Union of Mineworkers transformed Lowe from passive family man into a dedicated activist. Witness to many disturbing events, he recorded his experiences in a diary that is presented here in full, along with photographs, correspondence, court documents, and other materials. Lowe tells of the initial scramble to organize; the London rally that police tried to turn into a riot; his arrest and fast-tracking through the court system; the legendary pensioner friend beaten at a police roadblock; the slow trickle back to work; the dreaded day the strike ended; and first harrowing weeks back at the coalface among people he despised. With the scars left by the dispute still fresh upon him, Lowe reflected on events at both the local and national level. This volume is also a testament to the unquenchable spirit of men and women with a just cause. John Lowe was at the forefront of the fight for jobs during the twelve months of the miners strike from 1984-5 as the elected chairman of Clipstone Collierys strike committee in the largely working county of Nottinghamshire. The dirty war fought by the Thatcher Government to defeat the formidable National Union of Mineworkers transformed him from passive family man into political animal: witness to many disturbing events, he recorded his experiences in a diary so they would never be forgotten. There is the initial confusion and scramble to organise; the London rally which the police sought to turn into a riot; his arrest and fast-tracking through the court system; the legendary pensioner friend Sid beaten black and blue at a police roadblock; unifying events such as Christmas; the slow trickle back to work; and finally, the dreaded day the strike ended and first harrowing weeks back at the coalface among people he despised. With the scars left by the dispute still fresh upon him, he reflected upon events both at local and national level. If Spirit Alone Won Battles interweaves his diaries and this reflection is illustrated by an exhaustive collection of photographs, correspondence, court documents and campaign literature.It is a tale of heartbreak; but also a testament to the unquenchable spirit and stomach to fight of men and women with a just cause. John Lowe was at the forefront of the fight for jobs during the twelve months of the miners strike from 1984-5 as the elected chairman of Clipstone Collierys strike committee in the largely working county of Nottinghamshire. The dirty war fought by the Thatcher Government to defeat the formidable National Union of Mineworkers transformed him from passive family man into political animal: witness to many disturbing events, he recorded his experiences in a diary so they would never be forgotten. There is the initial confusion and scramble to organise; the London rally which the police sought to turn into a riot; his arrest and fast-tracking through the court system; the legendary pensioner friend Sid beaten black and blue at a police roadblock; unifying events such as Christmas; the slow trickle back to work; and finally, the dreaded day the strike ended and first harrowing weeks back at the coalface among people he despised. With the scars left by the dispute still fresh upon him, he reflected upon events both at local and national level. If Spirit Alone Won Battles interweaves his diaries and this reflection is illustrated by an exhaustive collection of photographs, correspondence, court documents and campaign literature. It is a tale of heartbreak; but also a testament to the unquenchable spirit and stomach to fight of men and women with a just cause Bruce Wilson's diary is an honest and action-packed account of what life was like for five young men on picket duty during the longest and most bitter industrial dispute in modern times: the 1984-85 miners'strike. Bruce and, younger brother Bob, along with mates Shaun, Darren and'Captain'Bob crammed themselves into an old car or'battlebus'and, despite police barriers and blockades, journeyed into Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and elsewhere in order to express their views and support their union in a country which they thought was free. We are able to experience at first-hand and day by day events, which were often frightening, occasionally humorous but never dull; and also gain insight into major conflicts at Orgreave, Brodsworth, Rossington and Maltby as well as at locations further afield. Towards the end of the strike our flying pickets found themselves on home ground, demonstrating at Silverwood and nearby collieries, including Cortonwood where many observers consider the great strike began. Any former striking miner will find the book compulsive reading and despite the passage of twenty years the journey will seem like yesterday. But there is a great deal for us all to appreciate from this remarkably frank and moving testimony. Facing probable redundancy in his mid-fifties, South Elmsall miner Arthur Wakefield, fought for jobs and communities throughout the great strike of 1984/85. He also kept a marvellous diary, recording his experiences, impressions and events in considerable detail. The diary is a unique personal day by day account of the most bitter industrial dispute of the 20th century. Armed with nothing more than determination and a camera, he by-passed countless blockades and in the early hours of the morning he would join his colleagues at picket lines at pits, ports, power stations and works in many parts of Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Lancashire and the Midlands. He also attended many rallies and marches, and was a regular 'support the miners' collector in London. Arthur Wakefield was a key witness at the 'Battle of Orgreave', on 18 June 1984, which he describes as 'Monday, Bloody Monday', the 100th day of the strike. His descriptions of the 'Battle' contained here in this book have also helped produce an historical live re-enactment to be shown on Channel 4 in April. Bruce Wilson's diary is an honest and action-packed account of what life was like for five young men on picket duty during the longest and most bitter industrial dispute in modern times: the 1984-1985 miners' strike. Edited By Brian Elliot. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.