Peter,
My comment was more intended as a (not very serious) poke at the style and
language used, not at all as criticism of the subject matter. Some academics
are not particularly good at getting their message across and as this was a
such a fine example, I was unable to let it pass!
Seriously though, the coalfield communities are badly in need of greater
understanding if their present problems are to be addressed and conferences
that promote the development of this are to be encouraged. The social
culture in the South Wales valleys in particular is so alien to outsiders,
but without understanding it it is impossible to create appropriate aid and
development packages. In particular, the new jobs created in the area have
been firmly focused on light assembly work, which is mostly done by the
women. This may satisfy government and helps the broad statistics, but does
not start to address the problems caused by the absence of any sense of
purpose for the men.
All of which may miss the comparative component, though in reality unless an
awareness is generated that society in the Valleys is very different to, for
example, the Yorkshire coalfields, then the need for specific policies is
unlikely to be fully recognised. The separation of the Valleys from the rest
of South Wales let alone the UK is very powerful.
Incidentally, the top end of the Rhondda Fawr and the road over the top to
Tower Colliery is quite spectacular - built by out-of-work miners in the
1930's under a government make-work scheme as were many other mountain roads
in the region.
Best regards,
Martin
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