| 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.
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