The second banner of Barnsley Miners Wives Action Group
For a period of time an earlier banner was lost but subsequently found. But meanwhile it was decided to have another made. A successful appeal to the Trade Union and Labour movement and Paul Routledge’s appeal through his column in the Daily Mirror made the project a reality.
The artist Andrew Turner was commissioned to paint the banner, based on ideas from the group. The banner was constructed by Sue Turner.
One side uses images from the Miners’ Strike and the subsequent fight to stop the pit closure programme. The reverse records the names of the women involved in the group and the local soup kitchens that operated during the strike. As Turner says, his banners have to be read, not simply looked at.
Painted using acrylic paint on cotton, it is 219cm wide and 166cm high.
Greeting card and poster of one side of the first banner is also available from Past Pixels.
Barnsley Miners Wives Action Group
Barnsley Miners Wives Action Group formed in the Miners’ Strike of 1984/1985 and consisted of groups from South and West Yorkshire.
We ran soup kitchens, supplied food parcels, attended rallies, spoke at support meetings both at home and abroad, picketed, were often arrested and supported other workers in struggle. We gained the attention of the media, giving interviews and participating in television documentaries.
In the second round of pit closures of 1992/93, as part of Women Against Pit Closures, we fought against the destruction of a viable coal industry, a way of life and our communities. We organised pit camps, including one outside the DTI in London where we were again arrested, and joined the occupation of Parkside Colliery.
We continue to support the NUM and provide medical aid to Cuba.
Barnsley Miners Wives Action Group,
Miners’ Offices,
2 Huddersfield Road,
Barnsley
S70 2LS
A minimum of 10p of the purchase price of this card is donated to the BMWAG.
Contact Past Pixels on 07743 325 401 or banners@pastpixels.co.uk with information about other banners.
Photography by Martin Shakeshaft.
Photography, design and print by unionised labour.
www.martinshakeshaft.com www.kavitagraphics.co.uk www.russellpress.com
