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Mining StoriesYou are in: Bradford and West Yorkshire > History > Mining Stories > The Strike: Michael in Castleford's story The Strike: Michael in Castleford's storyWe've been asking for YOUR memories of all aspects of the 1984-85 Miners' Strike. This is what Michael in Castleford has told us of his experiences...  "I was involved in the strike. I worked on the railway at the time and was 23 when the strike began.ÌýI got involved in the ASLEF strike in '82 and became interested in industrial relations and politics then. I'm from Castleford in West Yorkshire and my pit village in Allerton Bywater was fully engaged in the strike.ÌýI went on the picket line, marches/demos, donated money to the strike fund and helped arrange other fund-raising activities.
The passion and zeal held by many of my comrades at that time was so uplifting - the commitment and dedication to 'the cause' was very strong and we felt that we had all the right arguments to support our case, even if we knew that the obstacles - wider public scepticism, the government, the powers of the police, etc - made our task very difficult. When the miners went back to work, I shared their despair, humility and concern for the future.ÌýCoal mining in Castleford and the general area created jobs, wealth and so much unseen (ie taken for granted) spirit of community. When my local miners' union branch held a commemorative evening after the strike ended, I was very proud to be recognised as playing a part in the struggle." last updated: 06/03/2009 at 10:11 SEE ALSO
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