In order to ensure that our clients are able to make the most out of their investment in [], Here at Pearson Fuels, we recognise the appeal of firewood and why it has remained such a popular fuel despite the abundance of coal throughout the 20th century. The coal industry was nationalised in 1946, which protected miners' jobs but also meant the government could decrease their wages. Ian McGregor was appointed in 1981 to de-nationalise the coal industry. The miners and their families had endured months of hardship. On the 6th of March 1984, the decision to strike was made in protest of the governments long-term plan to close up to 20 collieries. Many of the mining communities that were once reliant on the collieries for their livelihoods were affected by the closure of the mines, and have since adapted to a new way of living. A period of great labor unrest marked the year leading up to the . Pearson Fuels Marple Ltd The General Strike of 1926 was the largest industrial dispute in Britain's history. Cumberland 10, 34 miners 22% voted 'yes, Derbyshire 15, 783 miners 49.9% of whom voted 'yes' etc then your . Arthur Scargill started the 1984 Miners' strike in response to proposed mine closures, but Britain was able to continue operating due to the stockpiles. Thatcher had taken note of the way the miners had brought down her predecessor and was determined the same thing would not happen to her premiership. In March 1984, the coal miners went on strike again. By 1994, not a trace of the pit existed above ground. In this case, plant matter sunk to the very bottom of swamplands where is was deprived of oxygen and subjected to intense heat and pressure. It was led by Arthur Scargill of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) against the National Coal Board (NCB), a government agency. Here are a few simple fire safety tips and fire hacks to help you out this winter. Many years ago, the mining industry played an integral part in the economy of the country and the cities within it. All major credit and debit cards accepted, The Benefits of Burning Fuel at Christmas, How Relative Humidity Affects the Seasoning Process, The benefits of smokeless coal and what not to do, Preparing and making the perfect fire this winter, The Maintenance and Benefits of Wood Burning, 3 Reasons Why Coal Makes an Excellent Residential Fuel, The rules surrounding smoke controlled zones in the UK, Things to remember when seasoning firewood, The Difference Between Hardwood and Softwood. In the media, the striking miners, working miners and the police were cast as little armies sweeping backwards and forwards across the countryside. The 1970s strikes were relatively successful for the miners, but the 1984 strike was a failure, and Thatcher won out over the protesting miners. Over 2000 strikes took place across the country, demanding pay increases - the government's reputation was severely damaged. After all, traditional house coal, such as bituminous coals, are often more beneficial than firewood for some properties. After a gigantic 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Chile, scientists quickly deduced a pair of usual facts: 1) the town of Concepcin had been moved 10 feet to the west, and 2) the Earth's rotation had undergone a dramatic change. What not to do when burning smokeless coal Never burn wet [], Coal is a commonly known sedimentary rock. Phone: 0161 427 1260 What wasnt taken into account, however, was the human element. However, there was nothing good about communities being smashed to bits while a government that appeared more interested in the increasing economic success of the south east of England did very little to help them. A 1994 European Union report named Grimethorpe the poorest village in England. After all, it is a renewable fuel that is available in abundance. In 1977, Congress passed the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act in order to protect the mining industry's most precious resource - the miner. The strike caused Britain's energy supplies to suffer greatly, and Heath had to schedule national blackouts. But as the dispute went on, she became ever more outspoken, even describing the miners leaders as Britains enemy within. It took place over nine days, from 4 May until 12 May 1926. You can unsubscribe at any time. Desperate to preserve their jobs and communities, which often depended entirely on the local pit, the Yorkshire miners walked out, as did their Scottish counterparts. By the early 1980s, domestic coal production was becoming ever more unprofitable. From Thatcher's election in 1979 to the start of the miners' strike, 1,600 jobs were lost every week in Britain with hardly a squeak of resistance from some union leaders. One of the criticisms of the government highlighted how they had the foresight to secure a coal reserve to outlast the strikes but hadnt considered options that could help support the communities where the mines were being closed. Grimethorpes story was repeated up and down the land. Clashes between the police and strikers resulted in injuries and deaths and demonstrated a legalising of state violence against protesters, hailing in a new era of state control. At the end of 1981, the miners elected a new leader in the hard-left Yorkshireman Arthur Scargill, who made no secret of his eagerness for a confrontation with the government. Miners had known for some time that a titanic struggle on the future of their industry was looming. Proving his worth, Thatcher appointed MacGregor as head of the National Coal Board in 1983. 5 West Midlands Police in 1984 (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Day_147_-_West_Midlands_Police_-_Miner%27s_strikes_-_1984_(14495625275).jpg) by West Midlands Police (https://www.flickr.com/people/61718807@N07) licensed by CC BY SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en). "Some people haven't spoken to each other since it started," she says. On 6th March 1984, the NCB planned to reduce Britain's coal production by 4 million tonnes and put around 20,000 mining jobs at risk. Thatcher's government reduced the power of the Trade Unions and the pressure they could exert on the government, ending the strike in 1985. Investing in a quality stove is important to provide an efficient fire that is going to help save you money in the long run, but if you decide to [], If you want a coal-burning fireplace in your UK home you will need to source smokeless coal as your choice of fuel. But with both sides refusing to compromise, the strike dragged on for almost exactly a year, causing immense hardship to thousands of families, before Scargill reluctantly conceded defeat in March 1985. This can be resolved by forming a coalition or minority government. The Miners' Strike of 1984 was a turning point in British history. There are so many different things that go into a fire, for example there are several types of firewood and fuels for them, so you just need to figure out [], As the autumn and winter months draw near, it is likely that homeowners will probably start bringing out the firewood to get their fires going. Mines were the beating hearts of communities stretching from Scotland to Kent. Twenty years ago on March 5, 1984 the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) embarked upon the most important class struggle in Britain since the general strike of 1926. Here at Pearson Fuels, we stock a variety of fuels that are suitable for a wood burner and believe that they are [], It is important to burn firewood that has a moisture content below 20% as this ensures that the logs will burn evenly and efficiently. Whether its to heat your home, give it more cosy atmosphere or simply because of the aesthetics, weve put together some benefits that can be obtained from burning firewood. On the 5th of March 1985, a crowd gathered in a South Yorkshire pit village to watch a sight none of them had seen in a year. As the winter season draws nearer, it is important that stove-users ensure that their unit is fit for use and has been afforded the basic maintenance that it requires [], There is nothing more counter-productive than burning firewood that has been saturated with moisture due to improper storage as it is not only difficult to light, it will produce a thick smoke and release a significant number of pollutants into the air. With this said, documents were released in 2014 that confirmed that Ian MacGregor, the head of the National Coal Board, did plan to close 75 pits over a three-year period during the 1980s. The conflicts witnessed between police and picketers were very different from the 1972 and 1974 strikes. In the 1970s, the NUM and NCB negotiated miners' treatment. History on our Side: Wales and the 1984-85 Miners' Strike, Ferry Side: Iconau. Over the previous decades, mining costs had been on the rise while the demand for coal had started to fall. Read about our approach to external linking. What did Nigel Lawson, Secretary of State for Energy, suggest that aided the government's response to the 1984 Miners' Strike. [CDATA[// >