As oppose to the friends of yours that saw the Police waving wage slips? Tell me, were you in the pub when they relayed that 'fact'?
Whole areas of Stoke's housing were built for the miners and other sections of heavy industry. Having lived in Staffordshire in several areas all my life, I can say that although it may not be 100% accurate what Dimple is saying rings true. Generally, the miners I have spoken to were paid more than most other workers (quite a lot more in some cases), although their job in many ways warranted that due to conditions and elements of danger. Secondly they did stick together as a crowd. I have worked with many ex-miners and have ex-miners in my family and it does appear from what I have been told over the years that getting down the pit was far, far easier if you had family/friends down there already. Jobs in the pit were in demand
because the wages were higher. Thats not to say it was a 100% closed shop, but you know how it goes......if there is a vacancy a member of the team will normally have a son, or a nephew or a close friend that needs a job. I saw the exact same thing in the pottery industry where I worked for a few years. Said member acts as a guarantor. Makes it very hard for outsiders to get a foot in the door, wouldn't you agree? Of course that is not to say it cannot happen, but it is harder.
I also know there were mining 'communities' in Stoke. I speak to a lot of old timers and they have wonderful stories to tell. Even the not so old timers can teach you a thing or two about your local area. From the people I have spoken to over the years, it does indeed appear true that the miners were suspicious of outsiders. Partly because their lives were often at risk and they needed to trust the man at their backs. I remember working at one chaps house and he said it was like being a soldier. Brothers in arms, as it were. He also mentioned that the new lads had to prove themselves worthy, as well as other tales about the jokes they used to play on each other. Really nice chap, who had no need to lie to me, but I suppose by the logic you present unless he hands me some kind of proof I must naturally disbelieve him. But when you have people tellling you the same kind of stories from all over the county, you do have to wonder if there is credit in it, no?
Oh, and the thing about the secret service and the Army being brought in and dressed as Police, it didn't happen did it? I mean, from your posts so far I can only conclude that there is a clear lack of evidence and it therefore must be untrue.
I also have not seen the part in Dimple's posts where he said all miners in the UK were greedy? He did, however, clarify that he was speaking from his experiences in Stoke only. Perhaps he should have been a little more clear, but I certainly have had no issues with understanding he was talking about his own experiences in Stoke only.
You seem to have a beef with miners in Nottinghamshire though, or at least that is what your posts imply. Would you care to elaborate, just so there are no misunderstandings?
Also, when you say it has not been forgotten that they capitulated, who are you talking about? You? Your family? Your friends? Exactly how many people as a percentage of Scotland's/England's/Wales' miners share that view? Can you speak for them all, because that is what you appear to be doing (?). Where is your evidence? I see non presented, so your point is therefore invalid (according to your argument stance at least). Or is it the case that is the opinion held by yorself and your circle of family and friends? Hearsay and pub talk maybe?
It is easy to pick holes in what someone is saying isn't it? It must be a very strange world you live in if you cannot accept/believe anything anyone says that is contrary to your own experiences without definitive proof in the form of x, y & z to validate it. Just because it differes from your experience, it makes it no less relevant, or true. Indeed your very opening response was to call Dimple's experiences garbage.
Just who do you think you are? Furthermore, what qualifies you to assess whether his experiences are true or not?
Cheers
Buff
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