In his response to the 'Dirty Image' topic, Peter opines that "Perhaps we
will have to wait 50 years before the technological advances in 20th century
coal mining can be addressed without a risk social bias."
Why? What is wrong with 'social bias'?
Why do we have to wait 50 years for people with no concept of the
communities which serviced heavy industry to write their accounts? To
counter all the "it were dark da'n t'pit" stuff, there is a need for a good
review of the economics - both national and within the industry, which led
to coal's decline in the last 25 years.
As for site clearance - experience suggests that, sadly, the fate of many
places which did not clear away such remains has been to remain depressed -
not a great vote winner.
Some sectors of Cornwall may indeed have adopted the engine house as a
unique retail image, perhaps that is the industry's future. After all,
Pendle (near Burnley) has its witches and Wales a dragon - neither of which
survived.
Mike Gill
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