Its hard to believe that the strike was almost 17 years ago; it was perhaps the last time in recent years that the workers came close to overthrowing a capitalist regime, and they held out for a whole year, despite no help whatsoever from the Labour party,( least of all Neil Kinnock).
In more recent times, the matter of poor and delayed compensation payments has surfaced. Mining, no need to stress, is an extremely hazardous occupation and the current Labour government is giving no more help than it did then. They will be there through the weekend and Monday, so if you've got time, why not go and give them some support.
In attendance today was Arthur Scargill, who was the leader of the Mineworkers Union in 1984 and is now the head of the Socialist Labour party. He will, incidentally, be contesting the seat held currently by Peter Mandelson, when the next election goes ahead.