The Class War: “I Still Hate Thatcher” badge did exceptionally well on Saturday 6 March 2010 in Newcastle.

The Party Invite, stickers or anything with a picture of the dreadful cow, however did not do so well. Most Miners still feel physically sick, just looking at her...

On this International Women’s Day, I would like to raise 1 positive outcome of the Miners’ Strike. I do fear that my statement might be met with a lot of opposition, however...

There were 3 women speakers on Saturday, ALL of whom were awe inspiring.

It did make me stop and think...

Ann Scargill started her talk by saying: “We wives of miners, were meant to stay at home, do the washing and have tea ready when our men arrive home..”

So they started with soup kitchens, feeding the masses and ensuring that single men had bog roll. Soon though, they became a militant force to be reckoned with.

Ann’s memory of being strip searched for asking: “Why have you arrested them”, and the subsequent fear of the FILTH, vivid and scary, is the beginning of LIBERATION.

I recognise that I need to learn more about the Women against Pit Closures, it would appear that, without the Miner’s Strike many of these women would still be contented to fetch their men’s slippers when they return home after a hard day’s work.

I am sure the glimpse I experienced did not reflect the broken homes, broken dreams and hungry children, but

It does look as if the Strike empowered these Women, helped them to find their inner strength and grow into independent, inspiring, strong, emotionally mature women.

They have taken from the strike, the knowledge that they CAN DO IT inspired them to do MORE, become more than “wives in the traditional sense”.

Women against Pit Closures, I salute you!

And a Special Salute to Ann – ending her talk – urging the crowd NOT to Vote BNP. Reading the statement of how her Barnsley BNP Candidate promotes Rape – stating that inflicting pleasure on a woman can hardly be criminal.

Bellah