09:35 Wednesday 5th March 2014
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire
[A]NDIE HARPER: We’re marking the 30th anniversary of the commencement of the (miners) strike in March 1984. It put the Government and the miners on a collision course, and there have been accusations over the years that there were plans to shut more mines than were revealed. They initially said they wanted to close 20, but recently revealed documents show that they wanted 75 mines to close over three years. A key adviser to the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher denied any cover-up claims, but newly revealed papers, as I say, show that there was a hit list of 70 pits. The Cambridge TUC actively supported the miners in 1984/5 and adopted two of the striking communities in Nottinghamshire, Blidworth and Rainworth, and many lasting friendships were formed. Well its Secretary is Tom Woodcock. It’s currently of course called the Cambridge and District Trades Council. Tom, good morning to you.
TOM WOODCOCK: Good morning Andie.
ANDIE HARPER: Now you’re far too young, aren’t you, to remember the intricacies of the miners strike.
TOM WOODCOCK: You’re too polite.
ANDIE HARPER: But it’s indelibly printed on my mind as if it were yesterday. But it was a seminal moment in British industrial relations, wasn’t it?
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