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Coal arriving at Orgreave
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Coal arriving at Orgreave
Pickets and police look on as coal is brought into the British Steel coking plant at Orgreave, South Yorkshire during the Coal miners strike. In the early days of the strike, the National Union of Mineworkers agreed to allow just sufficient coal to be delivered to the plant to be converted to coke to keep the steel furnaces ticking over. When it became clear that more coal than was necessary was being delivered, and that the union had been deceived, the N.U.M. attempted to prevent delivery completely. The inevitable confrontation between pickets and police on 29 May 1984 became known as the Battle of Orgreave. Date: May 1984
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Media ID 32221744
© Marx Memorial Library/Mary Evans
1984 Coal Coke Lorries Lorry Miners Mineworkers Picket Pickets Strike
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EDITORS COMMENTS
The print captures a pivotal moment in British history - the arrival of coal at the Orgreave coking plant during the miners' strike of May 1984. Pickets and police stand watch as lorries carrying coal make their way into the plant, symbolizing the tense standoff between striking miners and authorities.
In the early days of the strike, the National Union of Mineworkers had agreed to allow only enough coal to be delivered to keep steel furnaces operational. However, it soon became apparent that more coal than necessary was being brought in, leading to accusations of deception by the union. In response, attempts were made to prevent any further deliveries altogether.
The clash that ensued on May 29th would go down in history as the infamous Battle of Orgreave - a violent confrontation between pickets and police that highlighted the deep divisions within British society at that time. The image serves as a stark reminder of the struggles faced by workers fighting for their rights against powerful corporate interests.
This print is not just a snapshot from the past; it is a powerful testament to solidarity, resistance, and resilience in times of adversity. It stands as a historical document capturing a moment when ordinary people stood up against injustice with courage and determination.
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