Collection of badges relating to Cortonwood Colliery
A collection of nine badges associated with Cortonwood colliery, where the strike began. Listed from top left to bottom right.
Cortonwood Women’s Action Group
Produced by Cortonwood WAG as a fund raiser in 1984.
Large amount issued. 25mm round. Black and green. Gilt
Cortonwood Miners’ Strike 1984 – 85
One of two similar badges issued without the permission of the Branch. Probably limited in number.
Unknown quantity issued. 35mm ornate round. Black and white. Gilt.
Cortonwood 20th anniversary
Produced by Bill Shaw in 2004 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the start of the miners’ strike. They are inscribed on the back with “In Memory of Mick Carter”, who led the fight to save Cortonwood colliery from closure. A limited edition of 30 of a chrome version were also produced.
34mm diamond. Black orange white. Gilt.
Sheffield Central C.L.P.
Produced by Sheffield Central Constituency Labour Party, which adopted Cortonwood during the strike.
Several hundred issued. 26mm round. Gilt.
Cortonwood 1984
For many people this will be one of the most significant badges. This badge was issued to the striking miners at the pit where it all started. Designed by Bill Shaw, only 150 issued at a cost of £312.00. Bill still has the receipts and die.
150 issued. 30mm diamond. Red and white. Gilt.
Cortonwood Branch
Produced by Cortonwood Branch after the strike.
Large amount issued. 24mm round. Red, white and purple. Gilt.
Cortonwood Branch NUM Lest We Forget
Produced by Cortonwood Branch as a tribute to Davey Jones and Joe Green, members of the NUM who died on picket lines during the strike.
25mm round with scroll. Gilt
Cortonwood Comeback
Produced by the Cortonwood Women’s Action Group (WAG) which continued to function long after the strike had ended and the pit had closed. They produced a book and this badge.
Limited number produced. 27mm round. Black, orange and green. Gilt.
Cortonwood Branch NUM Lest We Forget
This is a colour sample using the same design as the one described above and unissued. Produced by Cortonwood Branch as a tribute to Davey Jones and Joe Green, members of the NUM who died on picket lines during the strike. Lest We Forget.
25mm round with scroll. Black and white. Gilt.
The Miners’ Strike 1984-85
The Miners’ Strike of 1984/5 was in defence of the coal industry, to protect jobs and communities. By the end of the strike in March 1985, 200 mineworkers served time in prison or custody, 20,000 people had been injured and 966 mineworkers had been sacked by the NCB. Two members of the National Union of Mineworkers were killed on picket lines; David Jones on the 15th March 1984 and Joe Green on the 15th June 1984. Three people died digging for coal during the winter.
National Justice for Mineworkers Campaign
The National Justice for Mineworkers Campaign was formed at the 1985 Labour Conference and was launched at the Albert Hall, London, in October 1986. The objectives of the campaign are to keep the issue of those victimised miners to the forefront of the labour and trade union movement and to raise money to alleviate hardship among the families of the victimised men.
The 966 men were originally sacked for no more than honouring picket lines, defending their jobs and pit communities, their class and the future of their children. Only a small number had been dismissed for offences against the person or damage to property. Many miners subsequently cleared by the courts were not re-instated and neither were many more who successfully won their cases for unfair dismissal at Industrial Tribunals. Many were even blacklisted from getting any work outside the coal industry.
The Justice Campaign is supported by the NUM, Labour Party, TUC conferences and many national & regional unions.
National Justice for Mineworkers Campaign
103 Cliff Road Hornsea HU18 1JB
Email: to be advised
Web: www.justiceformineworkers.org.uk
Phone: 01964 532954 & 07816 030236
A minimum of 10p of the purchase price of this card is donated to the NJMC.
Enamel badges of the National Union of Mineworkers
Many thanks to Brian Witts for information, advice and access to his collection. Brian produces the definitive book about the enamel badges and a large format poster using images of the badges to illustrate the wreckage caused by the Thatcher government to the mining industry and the mining communities. Contact Past Pixels if you want details.
Image of badges are copyright National Union of Mineworkers.
Photography by Martin Shakeshaft www.strike84.co.uk
