0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:07 > 0:00:10- I had one big secret.
0:00:11 > 0:00:16- It was something - that I found difficult to accept.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19- My name is Adam Price...
0:00:20 > 0:00:25- ..and I'm on a journey to learn more - about the 1984-85 Miners's Strike.
0:00:28 > 0:00:29- I remember...
0:00:30 > 0:00:33- ..and I'm not ready to forgive them.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37- If we'd have turned back...
0:00:37 > 0:00:41- ..it would've been the end of - South Wales's mining communities.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47- Until the day I die, - I will always consider them scabs.
0:00:49 > 0:00:54- We lost so much - but also benefitted from the strike.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59- What have we won? - What have we gained?
0:00:59 > 0:01:03- This isn't picketing. - This is murder!
0:01:04 > 0:01:06- It changed my life.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11- We fought for a whole year - to work down a coal mine.
0:01:13 > 0:01:19- You're a scab because your father's - a scab and you'll always be a scab.
0:01:19 > 0:01:25- Without my experience of the strike, - I can't imagine who I would be.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28- Are you ready? It's turning.
0:01:28 > 0:01:33- STRIKE
0:01:56 > 0:01:59- I was 15, going on 16...
0:01:59 > 0:02:03- ..during the Miners's Strike.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07- I had one big secret.
0:02:07 > 0:02:12- I'd known that I was different - since my days at primary school.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15- I was gay but I hadn't told anyone.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18- Even I found it difficult to accept.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27- I worried about the reaction - of my parents...
0:02:28 > 0:02:31- ..and their friends - within the community.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36- To some degree, you could argue...
0:02:36 > 0:02:41- ..that the mining community culture - was very macho.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44- For example, my father was a miner.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48- He was also a former - Welsh boxing champion.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52- You couldn't get anyone more macho.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56- When I look back, - I realize that I struggled...
0:02:56 > 0:02:59- ..with trying to bridge both worlds.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05- Being gay was something foreign and - it was very "London" and distant.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13- During the strike, I met other - gay people for the first time.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18- London's Lesbians and Gays - Support the Miners alliance...
0:03:18 > 0:03:23- ..arrived here on a Sunday evening.
0:03:24 > 0:03:29- The group came to - Pantyffynnon Rugby Club.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34- My father, mother and the miners - and their families were all there.
0:03:34 > 0:03:40- They sat among the gays and lesbians - and welcomed them.
0:03:40 > 0:03:45- For me, it was an amazing moment.
0:03:45 > 0:03:51- That's when I started to realize - that I could be a complete person.
0:03:54 > 0:04:00- I felt that I could tell - my mother and father that I was gay.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05- The strike made all the difference.
0:04:05 > 0:04:11- It taught me - not to lie about my sexuality.
0:04:25 > 0:04:30- I've learnt a lot since being here - as I've been to over 200 meetings.
0:04:30 > 0:04:35- I've spoken at public meetings - with over 500 people in attendance.
0:04:35 > 0:04:40- It will be incredibly difficult - to return to my old life.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46- To understand how I - and Welsh mining communities...
0:04:46 > 0:04:51- ..met the gay community during - the strike, I've come to Brixton.
0:04:51 > 0:04:56- I met an Amman Valley miner who was - central to the close relationship...
0:04:56 > 0:05:01- ..between South London communities - and Welsh men who were on strike.
0:05:01 > 0:05:06- What did you expect when you heard - that you were coming to Brixton?
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- In a way, it was a culture shock.
0:05:10 > 0:05:15- At the time, I lived in Ammanford. - and coming here was quite a shock.
0:05:20 > 0:05:26- Before arriving here, - we were all quite scared.
0:05:26 > 0:05:31- We weren't aware of the rioting - that had been taking place.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35- We had a warm welcome, - fair play to them.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42- This is the location - of the market...
0:05:43 > 0:05:47- ..where we had a permit for a stall.
0:05:47 > 0:05:52- We sold jumpers, mugs and badges - with the slogan, "Coal Not Dole".
0:05:52 > 0:05:56- How much money do you make in a day?
0:05:56 > 0:06:00- Yesterday, we made 179.
0:06:00 > 0:06:01- That's just by collecting money.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04- That's just by collecting money.- - Yes, and selling our goods.
0:06:04 > 0:06:09- The locals got to know us - whilst we also collected money.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13- We talked to people - about our experiences...
0:06:13 > 0:06:15- ..and we had - a very warm welcome here.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19- What's it been like - to mix with the people here?
0:06:19 > 0:06:24- It hasn't been a shock, - but it's been an experience.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28- People around here - have been incredibly good to us.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32- They're in the same situation...
0:06:32 > 0:06:36- ..with issues - like police harassments.
0:06:42 > 0:06:48- We ended up with an office - inside the town hall.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55- Our first office - was in a nuclear bunker.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00- If a nuclear bomb were to go off...
0:07:00 > 0:07:03- ..Maggie Thatcher - would walk away from her bunker...
0:07:04 > 0:07:08- ..and six miners from South Wales - would emerge from theirs!
0:07:09 > 0:07:14- We'd always have two men - at the top of these steps.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- They would be stood - in front of a banner.
0:07:18 > 0:07:23- Every Sunday, six men from Cynheidre - would come and stay for a week.
0:07:23 > 0:07:28- Two would stand here and - two collected money on the tubes.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30- Have you had trouble - with the police?
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- We've been chased - all around the place, to be honest.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38- We have to retreat when we see them.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41- They have a tendency - to move or arrest us.
0:07:41 > 0:07:46- We also had anther two on the stall - whilst I attended meetings.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- Was the money raised - sent back to the families?
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- When a family was in debt - or faced losing their home...
0:07:54 > 0:07:58- ..we would help to pay - electricity bills with our fund.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- We didn't imagine - that a place like Brixton...
0:08:03 > 0:08:09- ..would be a place with the same - sort of problems as us in Wales.
0:08:09 > 0:08:14- It's interesting to see - how two communities so far apart...
0:08:14 > 0:08:18- ..with nothing in common - in terms of history...
0:08:18 > 0:08:23- ..can have so much in common - in terms of principles.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27- Let's go in here.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30- It was a gay bar at the time.
0:08:30 > 0:08:36- Did you know that before going in or - notice that there weren't any women?
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- It was a real culture shock!
0:08:39 > 0:08:44- Thirty years have passed - and everything has changed here.
0:08:49 > 0:08:55- Can you explain - why you came to London?
0:08:56 > 0:08:59- We came here - as we didn't have any money left.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04- It looked like the government was - going to sequestrate Union funds.
0:09:04 > 0:09:10- That would've left families - without the means to buy food.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13- We needed money from somewhere.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17- The Union couldn't help - so we had to find another way.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20- We then came to London.
0:09:20 > 0:09:25- I came to Brixton - from the small village of Hendy.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28- It was a big step.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32- However, we made the right decision - by coming here.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36- Despite being a poor area, - we had support.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39- We could've gone to a richer area...
0:09:39 > 0:09:44- ..but we might not have received the - support we experienced in Brixton.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52- Boys from Pontyberem would meet - in this pub, The Prince of Wales.
0:09:52 > 0:09:58- They wouldn't have experienced - a completely gay bar before.
0:09:58 > 0:10:03- When they arrived here, they were - scared to go to the toilet alone.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07- It would've looked even worse - if they went in pairs!
0:10:08 > 0:10:11- It was a real eye-opener.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15- We saw another way of life - and there was nothing wrong with it.
0:10:16 > 0:10:17- They're no different to anyone else.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19- They're no different to anyone else.- - People are people.
0:10:19 > 0:10:25- They worked hard to support - the miners and their families...
0:10:26 > 0:10:30- ..who were left without any money - and it was incredible.
0:10:30 > 0:10:36- The strike split Britain - but it also bridged communities.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- There weren't any mines here...
0:10:39 > 0:10:43- ..and they didn't have a direct - connection with South Wales.
0:10:43 > 0:10:48- It's strange to think that people - in London made such an effort.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- We were fighting - to keep our pits open...
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- ..and our communities - close and alive.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- People fought for a whole year...
0:10:59 > 0:11:02- ..just to work down a coal mine.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06- We knew that if the mine closed, - nothing else would open.
0:11:07 > 0:11:12- The community only existed because - of the coal mines and coal itself.
0:11:21 > 0:11:21- .
0:11:23 > 0:11:23- Subtitles
0:11:23 > 0:11:25- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- My name is Adam Price...
0:11:29 > 0:11:34- ..and I'm on a journey to learn more - about the 1984-85 Miners's Strike.
0:11:35 > 0:11:41- I can vividly remember my mother - working with the support groups.
0:11:43 > 0:11:49- These groups were vital to ensure - that miners could stay on strike...
0:11:49 > 0:11:53- ..especially as the battle - stretched to over six months...
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- ..and threatened to continue - long after Christmas.
0:11:58 > 0:12:03- But what did it mean for women - within the mining communities?
0:12:04 > 0:12:10- Sian James is the wife of a miner - and the strike transformed her life.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12- We don't want to let down the boys.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17- The Union promised to stand by them - and we won't let them down.
0:12:17 > 0:12:23- Sian, - we're at the Onllwyn Welfare Hall.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27- Did this building play a key role - during the Miners's Strike?
0:12:28 > 0:12:30- It was central to the strike.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34- We nicknamed it - "The Palace of Culture!"
0:12:34 > 0:12:39- This is where everything happened - including the group meetings...
0:12:40 > 0:12:44- ..so it became an important part - of our lives during the strike.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50- I was a mother and wife.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53- I married at the young age of 16.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56- I left school to get married.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01- When Martin went to work that day, - he returned very early.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- I asked him - why he'd come home so early.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09- He told me that a picket line - had formed at Abernant.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- He'd do anything for me, - except cross a picket line.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- I understood, - as I came from a background...
0:13:17 > 0:13:21- ..where you would never - cross a picket line.
0:13:21 > 0:13:26- Why did women play such a - leading role during the strike...
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- ..in South Wales and beyond?
0:13:29 > 0:13:33- We could see what was happening - to our community.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37- At the start, my personal aim - was to raise money to buy food.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42- We would fill bags of food...
0:13:42 > 0:13:46- ..and every miner and his family - would receive a few bags.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50- What they received - depended on the size of the family.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55- Miners from places like France - donated their foreign foods.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57- You received caviar from Russia!
0:13:57 > 0:13:59- You received caviar from Russia!- - Yes, that's right.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- What was it like during Christmas?
0:14:06 > 0:14:10- Christmas is important in Wales - and we like to spoil the children.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- Did you still look forward - to a Christmas without any money?
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- We were worried about the money.
0:14:18 > 0:14:24- However, - our fund-raising support group...
0:14:24 > 0:14:26- ..had been very organized.
0:14:26 > 0:14:32- We'd made a deal with - a turkey company in Pembrokeshire.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- We were going to receive - damaged turkeys.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39- Turkeys were sometimes damaged...
0:14:39 > 0:14:43- ..as they passed through - the machines when being prepared.
0:14:43 > 0:14:49- The turkey's wings - might have been chopped off.
0:14:49 > 0:14:54- You didn't know if you would receive - a turkey with a leg or not!
0:14:54 > 0:14:58- We didn't care - as we had a turkey on the table.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02- The strike changed - the traditional role of women.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07- You got involved in politics and the - Union asked you to speak publicly.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11- Towards the end, the women - organized the picket buses.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- We would discuss political topics.
0:15:15 > 0:15:20- We chatted about the problems - that we faced.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25- If someone considered returning - to work, we would talk about it.
0:15:25 > 0:15:30- We would discuss the strike - and politics in a wider context.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35- We didn't confine discussions - to just our community.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- We were invited - to speak publicly...
0:15:38 > 0:15:44- ..in places like London, - Manchester and Birmingham.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48- We travelled to North Wales...
0:15:48 > 0:15:53- ..to participate in meetings - organized by Cymdeithas Yr Iaith.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57- They didn't vote - in the same way as us...
0:15:57 > 0:16:03- ..but we had the same principles - and beliefs.
0:16:03 > 0:16:08- If your husband had decided - to return to work...
0:16:09 > 0:16:11- ..how would you have reacted?
0:16:12 > 0:16:15- To be honest, I would've - thrown him out of the house.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19- I stood by his side...
0:16:20 > 0:16:23- ..and supported him - every step of the way.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- He would've let us down.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31- I couldn't imagine not winning.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35- I still find it difficult - to admit our loss.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38- I still can't utter the words.
0:16:38 > 0:16:43- I knew that if we were to give in...
0:16:43 > 0:16:45- ..and surrender to them...
0:16:45 > 0:16:49- ..then it would be the end of - mining communities in South Wales.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53- You were a miner's wife - at the start of the strike.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57- The strike took you - on a personal journey.
0:16:58 > 0:17:03- It led you to the House of Commons, - where I used to work.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05- Yes, in Westminster.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09- I was scared that I'd be - pushed back into the home...
0:17:10 > 0:17:12- ..and to that traditional life.
0:17:13 > 0:17:18- I was worried that there wouldn't be - any more opportunities.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22- I came to realize - that I had changed.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- My circumstances hadn't changed - but I was different.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37- South Wales's miners - will remain militant tomorrow.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41- However, one Welsh pit - has opted for a different strategy.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44- Clwyd's Point of Ayr Colliery...
0:17:44 > 0:17:49- ..is the only Welsh pit that has - been open over the past weeks.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55- It's a wintery morning...
0:17:55 > 0:18:00- ..but I've come to a - North-East corner of Wales...
0:18:00 > 0:18:04- ..to hear about the coalfield - in this part of Wales.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08- For me, the strike - was all about South Wales.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13- However, there was a coalfield and - miners in this part of Wales too.
0:18:13 > 0:18:18- They have their own story about - the strike and I've come to hear it.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- In the North Wales coalfield, - there were two mines.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29- They were the Point of Ayr - and Bersham collieries.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32- Bersham Colliery - initially supported the strike...
0:18:33 > 0:18:38- ..and only returned to work eight - months after the strike started.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42- It was a different story - at the Point of Ayr Colliery.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47- A majority of miners followed - the example of Nottingham's pits...
0:18:47 > 0:18:50- ..and continued working as normal.
0:18:50 > 0:18:55- However, a small group of miners - were brave enough to strike.
0:18:55 > 0:19:01- I wanted to know why they decided - to go against the majority.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03- We've been split down the middle.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06- Don't you feel a little spineless?
0:19:07 > 0:19:09- Are you selfish - and doing it for the money?
0:19:10 > 0:19:12- No, not at all.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15- We believe it's those on strike - that are spineless.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25- Thirty years have passed.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29- Was the Point of Ayr Colliery - a good place to work?
0:19:29 > 0:19:32- It was, before the strike.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- It was a good place to work.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37- Following the strike...
0:19:38 > 0:19:40- ..everything changed.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45- You produced lots of coal.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- It was a successful pit.
0:19:48 > 0:19:53- Point of Ayr is situated three miles - to the sea from the Dee estuary...
0:19:53 > 0:19:56- ..which makes it different - to other pits.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59- The colliery makes a profit.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02- It's recently been making - a 6 profit per ton...
0:20:02 > 0:20:06- ..whilst South Wales mines - make a loss of 13 per ton.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09- How did the strike start - at Point of Ayr?
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- The pickets came from South Wales.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14- That was the start of it.
0:20:14 > 0:20:19- I can remember coming out and - seeing the pickets from South Wales.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25- We had a meeting at Gronant.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30- They voted not to go on strike.
0:20:30 > 0:20:35- I stood up and I told them that - they were a disgrace to the NUM.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45- Why did you go on strike...
0:20:45 > 0:20:48- ..when most of them didn't?
0:20:49 > 0:20:51- What's your personal reason?
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- I was answering a question.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59- Did we want to see these people - losing their jobs?
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- Yes or no?
0:21:03 > 0:21:07- That was the question - that we were answering.
0:21:09 > 0:21:15- We weren't going to vote - and put these people on the dole.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- I believe they've been blinded.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22- They have been blinded - by newspapers and money.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25- That's what I think.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35- Over 700 men worked at Point of Ayr.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40- How many went on strike, Vic?
0:21:41 > 0:21:45- We ended up with 89 - at the very end.
0:21:52 > 0:21:57- That was a miserable year for us, - the striking miners of Point of Ayr.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01- We were fighting the government...
0:22:01 > 0:22:04- ..and our own workmates.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- Scabs, you are!
0:22:08 > 0:22:10- Scabs!
0:22:12 > 0:22:15- I don't believe that was - Point of Ayr's finest hour.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18- Scabs! Scabs!
0:22:18 > 0:22:21- There are 691 employees.
0:22:21 > 0:22:26- Six weeks ago, three quarters - of them continued working...
0:22:26 > 0:22:29- ..despite pressure from picketers.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33- They should accept - that we're all out on strike.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36- If they don't want to strike...
0:22:36 > 0:22:39- ..we should send them all - to the wilderness!
0:22:40 > 0:22:43- Did you feel ashamed...
0:22:43 > 0:22:47- ..when you saw your co-workers - breaking the strike?
0:22:48 > 0:22:49- Yes.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54- My grandfather had worked - at the Point of Ayr Colliery.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59- My father and I worked there, - along with my son.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07- Towards the end, I felt ashamed.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12- I didn't admit to everyone - where I worked.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16- Point of Ayr became notorious.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19- We were disappointed.
0:23:21 > 0:23:26- We saw men going to work on a bus, - whilst we were on the picket line.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36- There was one time...
0:23:37 > 0:23:41- ..when they threw bread from the bus - on their way home.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46- They threw food at you?
0:23:47 > 0:23:50- They threw food - out of the bus window.
0:23:56 > 0:24:01- Did you hate or pity those - breaking the strike?
0:24:01 > 0:24:03- No.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06- I wouldn't pass anyone.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10- But I remember.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12- We all remember.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16- Can we ever forget?
0:24:16 > 0:24:18- I won't forget.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20- I can't forgive them.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23- You can't forgive them completely?
0:24:23 > 0:24:26- You can't forgive them completely?- - No, not at all.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31- I'm 81.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35- I should've learnt - how to forgive them.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38- But I can't.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48- The first day - after the strike started...
0:24:48 > 0:24:52- ..we went to the pit - where it was completely silent.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55- I stood on my feet...
0:24:55 > 0:24:59- ..and told those - who weren't on strike...
0:24:59 > 0:25:03- ..that I knew them better...
0:25:03 > 0:25:06- ..after what they had done.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08- I didn't speak to them after that.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11- Do you feel - that you lost the strike?
0:25:12 > 0:25:14- No, not at all.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16- I don't feel that way.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18- I don't feel that way.- - I do.
0:25:18 > 0:25:19- You feel that way?
0:25:19 > 0:25:21- You feel that way?- - We've all lost.
0:25:23 > 0:25:24- No.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28- I think that it's a testament to us - that we tried.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33- Lots of people didn't try.
0:25:33 > 0:25:34- Would you do it all again?
0:25:34 > 0:25:38- Would you do it all again?- - Yes, I certainly would.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45- I don't want "scab" - on my gravestone.
0:25:53 > 0:25:58- That brought a tear to my eye....
0:25:58 > 0:26:00- ..and it was so powerful.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06- In a way, - it was easier in South Wales...
0:26:06 > 0:26:09- ..because there were - 20,000 out on strike.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14- It's difficult to be out - on your own...
0:26:15 > 0:26:18- ..on the North Wales coast.
0:26:21 > 0:26:26- They passed the test.
0:26:30 > 0:26:30- .
0:26:33 > 0:26:33- Subtitles
0:26:33 > 0:26:35- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:26:37 > 0:26:42- The battle continued - through the summer and into winter.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47- The financial strain affected - the miners and their families.
0:26:48 > 0:26:53- As a miner's son, I want to - discover the truth about the strike.
0:26:53 > 0:26:58- Wayne Thomas is the president - of the NUM in South Wales.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02- People are only starting to realize - its importance.
0:27:02 > 0:27:07- It changed people's lives, - Wales and the whole of Britain.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09- Before the strike...
0:27:10 > 0:27:14- ..our lives revolved - around the mining industry.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18- After the strike, - we didn't have the same outlook.
0:27:19 > 0:27:24- Nothing had been said, - but we all knew that it was the end.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30- The NUM was at its peak...
0:27:30 > 0:27:33- ..with thousands of members - at one time.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36- However, the numbers have dwindled.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38- How many members do you have?
0:27:38 > 0:27:42- There are currently 200 - with full membership of the NUM.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46- There are 200 people - now working in the industry...
0:27:46 > 0:27:50- ..but back in those days, - there were 200 in a small colliery.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54- The situation - has changed dramatically.
0:27:54 > 0:27:59- At the time, I worked - at Abernant Colliery in Rhydyfro.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02- I was married at 21.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06- I entered the strike - as one of three brothers.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08- We all worked at Abernant.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12- During the winter, - it was much more difficult.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15- We were six months in - and without money.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18- Did you have any children?
0:28:18 > 0:28:22- My eldest daughter was born in May, - during the strike.
0:28:22 > 0:28:28- I remember queuing for food parcels - outside Ystradgynlais Welfare Hall.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31- It was hard as I wanted to work.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35- When we queued for food parcels, - people called us scroungers.
0:28:36 > 0:28:41- Miners were slowly returning to work - at collieries including Cynheidre.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45- I had discussions with my brothers.
0:28:45 > 0:28:50- One month after starting, we asked - ourselves why we were on strike.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53- It was always - at the back of our minds.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58- We'd heard of people - returning to work in England.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02- We thought that it was different - for them.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06- When someone you knew - returned to work...
0:29:06 > 0:29:10- ..you started to wonder - if you really knew them.
0:29:10 > 0:29:16- They weren't bad men, but it was - hard to understand their reasoning.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19- At the time, - men used the word "scab".
0:29:19 > 0:29:22- We all felt strongly - about the matter.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25- However, - how do you feel about them now?
0:29:25 > 0:29:28- Do you have more sympathy - towards them?
0:29:28 > 0:29:30- No, not at all.
0:29:31 > 0:29:36- I knew people who returned to work - and they didn't want any help.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39- They returned, regardless - of what anyone said or did.
0:29:40 > 0:29:45- They were determined to return, - no matter how much help they got.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48- I know that 30 years have passed...
0:29:48 > 0:29:52- ..but when someone - returned to work...
0:29:52 > 0:29:56- ..I feel as strongly today - as I did back then.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00- Men who crossed the line were scabs - and they'll always be scabs.
0:30:00 > 0:30:06- Until the day I die, - I will consider them scabs.
0:30:13 > 0:30:17- If the miners want to go back, - let them go back.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19- There's a life lost - through all this.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26- There are two children - without their father for Christmas.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29- I mean...
0:30:31 > 0:30:32- It's just not worth it.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34- It's just not worth it.- - No.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40- Despite society's hatred towards - those who broke the strike...
0:30:40 > 0:30:45- ..men in South Wales started - returning to work before Christmas.
0:30:45 > 0:30:50- The consequences of going against - society's wishes could be awful.
0:30:53 > 0:30:58- I met the former Chief Constable - of South Wales, David East...
0:30:59 > 0:31:02- ..to learn about the worst tragedy - of the Miners's Strike.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07- I got the phone call at 6.00am - - "Chief, we've got a murder."
0:31:08 > 0:31:11- David Williams - from Tan y Lan in Rhymney...
0:31:11 > 0:31:15- ..had returned to work - at the Merthyr Vale mine.
0:31:15 > 0:31:20- This morning, he left home in the - back of a taxi, hired by the board.
0:31:20 > 0:31:24- As the taxi travelled along - the Heads of the Valleys Road...
0:31:24 > 0:31:28- ..two pillars of concrete - were dropped from a bridge.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32- One yard-long pillar - went through the front windscreen.
0:31:32 > 0:31:37- The taxi driver, David Wilkie - lost control of the vehicle.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44- When I got to Merthyr, - the press of the world was there.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48- This isn't industrial action. - This isn't picketing.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52- This is murder.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56- It was a completely unacceptable act - by any standards.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00- Fortunately, a bus driver - going to work at 5.30am...
0:32:00 > 0:32:04- ..had seen both culprits - run off the bridge into a house.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07- They were arrested, thank goodness.
0:32:07 > 0:32:12- Had there been a protracted enquiry, - trying to solve that incident...
0:32:12 > 0:32:17- ..we would've accused the miners - of all sorts of harassment.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21- They were convicted of murder - so in my view, it was murder.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24- It was reduced to manslaughter - later on.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28- Our sympathy went out to Wilkie - and his family.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34- Was it an emotional turning point - during the strike?
0:32:34 > 0:32:37- I think it certainly was.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41- Because of that, it was difficult - for Mr Scargill to defend it.
0:32:42 > 0:32:47- I feel certain that the miners - lost a lot of support because of it.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51- My role was quite simple.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54- It's police duty to uphold the law.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56- When this dreadful year was over...
0:32:57 > 0:33:00- ..we, in South Wales - would have to live together.
0:33:00 > 0:33:04- We're a small area - with an intense population.
0:33:04 > 0:33:09- When this was over, we'd have to - get back to some sort of normality.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16- Many policemen in South Wales...
0:33:16 > 0:33:20- ..were sons of miners - and were related to miners.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23- Many of them had married - miners's daughters.
0:33:23 > 0:33:28- We were very intimately involved - with the people we were policing.
0:33:29 > 0:33:34- I don't want to give the impression - that we were soft. We weren't.
0:33:34 > 0:33:40- There were confrontations, miners - were arrested and we upheld the law.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44- At the time and subsequently, - some said there were elements...
0:33:45 > 0:33:49- ..that resembled a police state - with people being sent back...
0:33:50 > 0:33:54- ..there were road blocks and scenes - that we weren't really used to.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58- Look at it from the point of view - of a police officer.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02- We had riot gear in the - luggage compartment of the bus.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05- Wherever you may be, - adrenaline was flowing.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09- You're going to be in a - confrontational situation.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13- You are determined - to show them who's boss.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19- From the point of the pickets...
0:34:19 > 0:34:24- ..when they would see this military - approach by a body of men...
0:34:25 > 0:34:29- ..of course, - there was immediate confrontation.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31- Did it cause any soul searching?
0:34:31 > 0:34:34- It caused real soul searching - for me.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38- From the perspective - of the working miner...
0:34:38 > 0:34:42- ..he was trying to protect - his livelihood and family.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45- He wasn't a criminal, - thief or villain...
0:34:45 > 0:34:48- ..but because of the strike...
0:34:48 > 0:34:53- ..he was pitched against - the law, the government and police.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56- Picketing and demonstrations - are lawful...
0:34:56 > 0:34:58- ..but it's also lawful...
0:34:59 > 0:35:03- ..that if a man wants to go to work, - he should be allowed to go.
0:35:05 > 0:35:10- When the strike was over, I got - a phonecall from Downing Street...
0:35:10 > 0:35:14- ..asking that I send two police - inspectors to Downing Street...
0:35:15 > 0:35:18- ..to have cocktails - with the Prime Minister.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22- She wanted to personally thank - the principle forces...
0:35:22 > 0:35:24- ..involved in policing the strike.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28- I said to this chap on the phone, - "We won't be coming."
0:35:28 > 0:35:31- He paused and asked why.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35- I said, "Please give my best wishes - to the Prime Minister...
0:35:36 > 0:35:41- "..but we won't be coming as we've - kept the lid on this in South Wales.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44- "If I send two officers to London...
0:35:44 > 0:35:49- "..to meet with the Prime Minister, - simply for doing their job...
0:35:49 > 0:35:51- "..I will undo all that's done."
0:35:51 > 0:35:56- I did right by my employers and - the people I served in South Wales.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01- The defeat of the miners - wasn't something to celebrate.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03- No, not at all.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10- Well...
0:36:12 > 0:36:16- ..it's very sad to see images...
0:36:17 > 0:36:21- ..of the death of David Wilkie.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27- It was a tragedy.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30- We should also remember...
0:36:30 > 0:36:34- ..that two miners - died on the picket line...
0:36:34 > 0:36:39- ..under questionable circumstances.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44- It's difficult to admit...
0:36:45 > 0:36:47- ..but to be completely honest...
0:36:47 > 0:36:50- ..if you had experienced - the strike...
0:36:50 > 0:36:55- ..your attitude towards the police - changed forever.
0:36:55 > 0:36:59- I had never been in trouble...
0:36:59 > 0:37:03- ..but we were the troublemakers.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05- We were the enemy.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08- Even today, - I still get that feeling.
0:37:12 > 0:37:12- .
0:37:16 > 0:37:16- Subtitles
0:37:16 > 0:37:18- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:37:20 > 0:37:24- They're all going to - drift back to work gradually.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27- Nothing makes sense at the moment.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33- We'll all have to return to work - because we've lost our issue.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38- If there's a sore on your finger, - you try to cure it.
0:37:38 > 0:37:42- If you have gangrene, - you've got to cut it off.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44- That's how I feel about this scab.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48- I wish you wouldn't refer - to him as a "man" - he's a scab.
0:37:49 > 0:37:54- I warn you that if - at the conclusion of this dispute...
0:37:54 > 0:37:57- ..you are still crossing - our picket lines...
0:37:57 > 0:38:02- ..you'll be stained - until the end of time as a scab!
0:38:02 > 0:38:04- CHEERS
0:38:10 > 0:38:12- Scabs!
0:38:12 > 0:38:14- Scabs!- - Scabs!
0:38:20 > 0:38:22- I remember feeling disappointed...
0:38:23 > 0:38:27- ..as more and more British miners - returned to work.
0:38:27 > 0:38:32- However, I couldn't believe it when - miners from South Wales returned...
0:38:32 > 0:38:36- ..especially miners from my area.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40- Cynheidre Colliery - in the west of the coalfield...
0:38:40 > 0:38:44- ..was where a majority of miners - broke the strike in South Wales.
0:38:45 > 0:38:49- I've come to meet a strike breaker - and his wife in Pontyberem.
0:38:49 > 0:38:54- I'm unsure how I'll feel and react - to what I'm about to hear.
0:38:54 > 0:38:59- We've already lost ground - and I can't see a way of winning.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02- No-one will talk about the matter...
0:39:03 > 0:39:06- ..so we've been left - feeling defeated.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12- From the onset, Scargill - turned men against each other.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15- We couldn't win.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18- This wasn't a "Miners's Strike".
0:39:18 > 0:39:22- We were used in Arthur Scargill - and Maggie Thatcher's strike.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26- Did you go on strike?
0:39:26 > 0:39:29- Yes, I supported the strike - for seven months...
0:39:30 > 0:39:33- ..but for how much longer - was it going to continue?
0:39:33 > 0:39:35- Neither side was going to give in.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40- An increasing number of us...
0:39:40 > 0:39:43- ..were forced to do - what we had to do.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46- We had to return to work.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49- I couldn't see an end to the strike.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52- I didn't see the point in it.
0:39:52 > 0:39:57- I listened to Phil discuss it and - I heard reports on the television.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03- I would often ask him - about the outcome.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08- We had two young children - and Christmas was on its way.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11- We didn't have any money.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15- We'd signed for a house just a week - before the strike started.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19- It was incredibly difficult.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21- Did you discuss his return to work?
0:40:22 > 0:40:24- We talked about it for a long time.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27- We discussed it - after the children had gone to bed.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31- We didn't want them to hear - what was being said.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38- In a small community...
0:40:38 > 0:40:41- ..it must have been very difficult.
0:40:41 > 0:40:42- ..it must have been very difficult.- - It was hard.
0:40:43 > 0:40:48- Once you returned to work, - did others feel angry?
0:40:48 > 0:40:53- One of the girls - experienced some trouble at school.
0:40:53 > 0:40:57- One of the girls had a father - who supported the strike.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01- She pushed our daughter - against a wall and told her...
0:41:01 > 0:41:06- .."You're a scab, as your father is - a scab and you'll always be a scab."
0:41:06 > 0:41:11- You shouldn't tell a five-year-old - something like that.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14- Scab, scab, scab.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17- I hope you turn around and say, - "I was one of the scabs."
0:41:19 > 0:41:21- Did you support the strike?
0:41:21 > 0:41:23- Did you support the strike?- - Yes, 100%.
0:41:24 > 0:41:29- I felt strongly about it and - supported it until the final weeks.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32- I can't lie to you.
0:41:33 > 0:41:38- I was on the other side.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41- We're all entitled - to our own opinion.
0:41:41 > 0:41:46- We didn't need a strike, - we gained nothing from the strike...
0:41:46 > 0:41:49- ..and it was an illegal strike - from the start.
0:41:54 > 0:41:58- You must have been on pins - on the eve of returning to work.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01- I didn't sleep much that night.
0:42:01 > 0:42:06- I imagined how many hundreds - would be outside Cynheidre Colliery.
0:42:06 > 0:42:10- I didn't want anything to go wrong.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13- I wondered what I'd do - once I had returned to work.
0:42:13 > 0:42:18- We would hear stories such as - the killing of the taxi driver.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21- Everything went through my mind.
0:42:21 > 0:42:27- It wasn't a good feeling when - I stepped on the bus that morning.
0:42:27 > 0:42:32- There were wires - covering the windows.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36- It felt like I - was going to prison...
0:42:36 > 0:42:39- ..and that I'd done something wrong.
0:42:39 > 0:42:44- However, we were just - returning to work.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46- We wanted to work.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50- Did you feel like you were - letting your co-workers down?
0:42:51 > 0:42:53- I wasn't letting them down.
0:42:54 > 0:42:59- I had been out on strike with them - for eight months!
0:43:01 > 0:43:06- But, by not staying out on strike...
0:43:06 > 0:43:10- ..did you feel - that you were letting them down?
0:43:10 > 0:43:13- No, not at all.
0:43:13 > 0:43:15- I'm certain...
0:43:15 > 0:43:19- ..that over half of them - were fed up with the strike.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22- They wanted the strike - to come to an end.
0:43:22 > 0:43:26- When we arrived at Cynheidre...
0:43:26 > 0:43:29- ..we saw the crowds stood there.
0:43:29 > 0:43:33- It wasn't our co-workers - that were stood outside the gate.
0:43:34 > 0:43:36- It was women on the picket line.
0:43:36 > 0:43:39- They were showing their support.
0:43:39 > 0:43:44- Support? Is that what you call it?
0:43:44 > 0:43:49- Twelve women broke into - the locker room at Cynheidre...
0:43:50 > 0:43:54- ..and used our lockers as toilets!
0:43:58 > 0:44:03- How did it feel to cross the - picket line for the first time?
0:44:03 > 0:44:07- I can't say that I was happy - about crossing the picket line.
0:44:07 > 0:44:11- It wasn't something that I enjoyed.
0:44:14 > 0:44:17- Once we returned to work...
0:44:17 > 0:44:21- ..that was it and the - most difficult part was over.
0:44:22 > 0:44:27- I was on the picket line as the - strike breakers returned to Betws.
0:44:27 > 0:44:30- I couldn't believe - that they were doing it.
0:44:30 > 0:44:36- They were breaking our community.
0:44:36 > 0:44:41- I have no hard feelings because of - what you did on the picket line.
0:44:42 > 0:44:46- Those were your feelings.
0:44:47 > 0:44:49- However, I thought differently...
0:44:49 > 0:44:53- ..as a miner and member of the NUM.
0:45:00 > 0:45:05- There's always two sides - to every story.
0:45:05 > 0:45:11- I was only interested in returning - to work and keeping my job.
0:45:11 > 0:45:14- Therefore, I continued to work.
0:45:14 > 0:45:17- The first day was hardest.
0:45:17 > 0:45:22- Did things become easier - as time went on?
0:45:22 > 0:45:26- It got easier once the pay came...
0:45:26 > 0:45:32- ..but it took months and years...
0:45:33 > 0:45:35- ..for things to go back to normal.
0:45:35 > 0:45:41- Those who supported the strike...
0:45:42 > 0:45:45- ..admitted to losing a lot - due to the strike...
0:45:46 > 0:45:48- ..but benefitted in other ways.
0:45:48 > 0:45:50- Like what?
0:45:50 > 0:45:53- Nothing positive - came from the strike...
0:45:53 > 0:45:56- ..because we lost.
0:45:56 > 0:46:01- What have we won? - What have we gained?
0:46:08 > 0:46:10- From the first day...
0:46:10 > 0:46:16- ..more men got on the bus - to pass the picket line.
0:46:16 > 0:46:21- When I returned to work, - there were 15 of us on the bus.
0:46:22 > 0:46:28- However, - the week before Christmas...
0:46:28 > 0:46:31- ..there were up to 90 men - going back to work.
0:46:35 > 0:46:40- I didn't go on strike with - the intention of doing what I did.
0:46:40 > 0:46:42- Is your conscience clear?
0:46:42 > 0:46:44- Is your conscience clear?- - I haven't done anything wrong.
0:46:45 > 0:46:48- Can you sleep soundly at night?
0:46:48 > 0:46:51- And I walk with my head held high.
0:46:58 > 0:47:01- I believe that what he did - was wrong.
0:47:01 > 0:47:06- He has his self-pride - and feels happy with his decision.
0:47:06 > 0:47:08- I'm trying to understand...
0:47:08 > 0:47:13- ..but there's still part of me that - can't understand why they did it.
0:47:13 > 0:47:16- It was something very selfish.
0:47:16 > 0:47:19- Others were suffering...
0:47:19 > 0:47:21- ..and they didn't need to do it.
0:47:22 > 0:47:27- We were in the same situation - but my parents found the strength...
0:47:28 > 0:47:30- ..and refused to give in.
0:47:31 > 0:47:35- I still condemn the act - of breaking the strike.
0:47:35 > 0:47:38- I still believe that it was selfish.
0:47:41 > 0:47:43- I was utterly helpless.
0:47:43 > 0:47:47- So helpless that I - couldn't confess helplessness.
0:47:47 > 0:47:51- He came to the door - and it was like seeing a ghost.
0:47:52 > 0:47:55- I saw grown men in tears - at having to go back.
0:48:27 > 0:48:30- S4C Subtitles by Tinopolis
0:48:30 > 0:48:30- .