Village to host strike inquiry
Call to those involved in struggle
One of the communities most active in the Miners’ Strike of 1984-85 gets its chance to speak today, more than 30 years on.
The independent review on the impact of policing on affected Scottish communities during the miners’ strike of the 1980s comes to Fallin today (Wednesday).
Members of the public are being invited to share their experiences with John Scott QC, who is leading the review, and members of his advisory panel, which comprises former MP and MSP Dennis Canavan, Jim Murdoch, professor of public law at the University of Glasgow, and Kate Thomson, a former assistant chief constable.
There is no need to book a place in advance: members of the public are invited to come along tonight from 6pm and 9pm, doors open 5.30pm.
The evidence gathered will help inform the report and any recommendations made by the group to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice.
The call for evidence is open until December 12, and those wishing to make a contribution can keep upto-date with the review by following Twitter and using the hashtag #MinersStrikeReview.
Mr Scott said: “If you were a miner, part of a mining community, a police officer or in some other way affected by, or involved in, the strike, I am really interested to hear about your experiences. If you can, please join us at one of these events, or respond to our call for evidence.”
The miners of Polmaise were first to go on strike and the last to return to work in one of the bitterest industrial relations battles of the late 20th Century.
Soup kitchens were set up to help those involved in the dispute and political big hitters such as the late Denis Healey came to Stirling to show their support.
Polmaise Colliery often broke records in terms of production and profitability, and miners were used to defending their jobs, their pit, and their village of Fallin, created when the pit was sunk in 1904.
There was no picket line at Polmaise during the 56-week strike. The Polmaise banner, now on permanent display in the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, led all of the demonstrations in Scotland in 198485.
British Coal announced the closure of Polmaise Colliery on July 15, 1987.
Two days later the pit was closed for good and 112 miners were made redundant.
In June this year the then Cabinet Secretary for Justice confirmed the establishment of the independent review in the Scottish Parliament.
I am interested in hearing about your experiences