Chriss.

Further to our discussion at the pit regarding the demise of the coal
industry.  In terms of number of actual working units we must now be on par
with the year 840.

As you know I am  non political and never subscribe to the theory  that the
events of 1984-5 were the deth nell of the industry just a mere side effect
of a bigger diesese. Neith do I think any honest historian can subscribe to
the theory so blatantly displaid at the Woodhorn museum on their banner,
'closed by the Tories'

Far be it from me a miner historian to kill the sacred  cow but after
digesting many facts and long hard years of deep thought and research, I
firmly belive Nationalisation was , in hindesite, the worst thing to happen
to the British industry.

Oh yes there were some very short lived benifits in some areas and the old
coasl owners always get bad press. but consider these facts I alluded to;

Many owners had upwards 100 years experience in the trade,
Had a vested interest directly in the collieries, if they failed then so did
their welth.
Many owners had a vested interest also in the local comunities and would keep
certain collieries going to support the local infastructure as long as the
group as a whole could maintain it.
Within 10 years of Nationalisation many areas saw over 70% closure rate.
At the time of de-nationalisation in 1995 the companies who took on running
of collieries were either inept, unable to compete in a market created by the
nationalised industry, or were just in it to make a fast buck Viz UK Coal

Compaire that to some of the private companies who soldiered on through many
difficult years, ie, Hayrodds colliery which is run by the oldest mining Co
in the UK, Ayle Colliery Co, the second oldest. Quaker House which sadly
closed 10 years ago and also Blenkinsopp Collieries who had the foresite to
develop sucessfgully areas poo pooed by the NCB.

I think at present the finest example can be found at Tower, where it is
proved that a vested comitment to the industry is the key, from the boiler
man to the MD.

Just a few points to mull over till saturday and maybe some of the list may
have some thoughts, after all it is a subject that needs honest open non
political debate so we can write the history books correctly and not erase
historical facts because they don't fit the romantic picture of the socialist
miner mercilessly butched by the capitolist oger or ogeress as in this case.

Regards Clive.

By the way...bring cream for canch rash.