Mining Strikes

As with earlier coal strikes, people involved in the 1984/5 strike had no money and struggled to afford even the basic commodities such as bread and milk. The 1984/5 strike was also no different to earlier strikes as soup kitchens were set up, often in local community centres. These soup kitchens helped mining families get at least one proper meal a day. They were often run by the miners' wives and they would prepare food that had been donated by shops and more generally by people who wanted to help. This help not only came from Britain but also from other countries such as France, Russia and Germany. This box of German tea bags was one of the many items that were sent from abroad to the National Union of Mineworkers.