1. Backbone of Britain

The miners’ strike of 1984-5 had a profound impact on Britain’s politics, economy and society. For those on strike, and their families, it felt like an existential struggle to save not only their jobs, but their communities, and the life they knew.

In this episode, Jonny Owen – who was just 13 and living in Merthyr Tydfil at the time – explores the extraordinary heritage that South Wales miners in particular were trying to hang onto. What happened underground helped to shape the society that developed above the surface. He finds that this rich history helps to explain why the South Wales miners were the most solid in support of the strike of any coalfield throughout the year-long dispute.

Jonny talks to former miners, some of them friends of his, about why they still see this difficult and dangerous work as “the best job ever”. And he tracks the root causes of the strike, and why it failed, through the politics of Britain, and the miners union, in the decades that went before.

Strike is a Bengo Media Production for BBC Sounds.

Presenter: Jonny Owen

Series Producer: Clare Hudson

Executive Producer: Steve Austins

Assistant Producer: Ffion Clarke

Development Producer: Branwen Davies

Sound Designer: Meic Parry

Sound Editor: Adam Whalley

Composer: Richard Llewellyn

Series Consultant: Dr Ben Curtis

Commissioning Editor: Bridget Curnow