National Union of Mineworkers Pin Badges

For 11 months between 1984 and 1985 the Nation Union of Miners organised a strike in response to widespread proposed pit closures by the government agency National Coal Board (NCB). Over ¾ of the UKs 187,000 miners took part in the strike.

Despite being one of the largest historical strikes worldwide, it ended in in victory for the conservative government and the closure of most collieries. The remaining were privatized. Many towns reliant on the coal industry saw a severe economic and social impact from the closures which still persists today.