1984-85 Miners Strike - Twentieth Anniversary Commemorative Badge Issues
It is now 20 years since the great coal miners strike of 1984/85. This
short period in British history was to see great political and social upheavals
within the coalfields right across the United Kingdom and was to initiate a
rapid end to the British coal industry as we all knew it. Prior to the start of
the strike in 1984 there were 170 pits in Britain employing 181,400 men and
producing some 90 million tonnes of deep mined coal annually. There are now only
half a dozen pits left in the UK employing only 3,000 to 4,000 men and producing less than 15
million tonnes of coal a year.
No matter which side of the social or political divide one is from there is no
doubt that the miners’ strike of 1984/1985 was a very black period in the
history of our Nation and for that reason alone it is worthy of remembrance.
To mark the twentieth anniversary of the strike we have issued
three separate commemorative badges each of a special limited edition production
run of between 100 and 300 each. The designs for these badges have been kept simple and take
their inspiration from many of the
contemporary union, colliery plus miners’ support group badges that were so
prolific during the time of the strike.
1) Twentieth Anniversary - Miners Strike - Lest We Forget (Type I).
Badge Type: High quality hard enamel complete with broach pin attachment; Size: 32 mm; Colour: Blue, Black, Gold & Cream; Reverse Side: Engraved on the reverse "Forget Not The Lessons Of Our Past" plus a unique stamped issue identification number out of a stated total of 300; Number Issued: 300; Launch Date: Late February 2004; Price: £4 plus P&P - SOLD OUT.
2) Twentieth Anniversary - Miners Strike - Lest We Forget (Type II).
Badge Type: High Quality hard enamel complete with butterfly pin attachment; Size: 33 mm by 28 mm; Colour: Blue, Black, Gold & Cream; Reverse Side: Engraved on the reverse "1984 -170 Pits & 181,000 Miners / 2004 - 12 Pits & 8,000 Miners" plus a unique stamped issue number out of a stated total of 300. Number Issued: 300. Launch Date: 22 April 2004 but taking orders now. Price: £4.15 plus P&P.- SOLD OUT.
3) Coal Preparation & Allied Surface Workers - Miners Strike 1984-1985
Badge Type: High quality hard enamel complete with broach pin attachment;. Size: 37 mm tall by 37 mm wide; Colour: Black, White, Gold, Blue, Orange, Grey, Red, Cream & Pink; Reverse Side: Engraved on the reverse is the legend "2004-2005 Twentieth Anniversary of the year the Washeries fell silent". Number Issued: 100 (each badge is individually numbered out of 100 on the reverse); Issued Date: Mid October 2004; Price: £5.75 post free in the UK via first class mail with a senders proof of posting certificate.- SOLD OUT.
To reserve your badge e-mail: linda.smith64@virgin.net or telephone 01740 630014.