Wakefield Red Shed event to remember the miners’ strike

The struggle by pit workers during the miners’ strike of 1984-5 will be commemorated at Wakefield Labour Club tomorrow.

Guest speakers will take part in the event at the club, known as the Red Shed, from 4pm.

It has been organised 30 years to the day since the closure of Cortonwood pit in South Yorkshire was announced by the National Coal Board.

The announcement sparked a year-long dispute which saw thousands of miners take strike action against pit closures.

Speakers at the 1984-85 Miners’ Strike Commemoration will include Ken Rowley, who was a National Union of Mineworkers official at Selby during the strike.

Christopher Emms, chairman of the Unite union’s Leeds Community Branch and Alan Stewart, convenor of Wakefield Socialist History Group, will also speak at the event.

And writer and journalist Granville Williamswill speak on behalf of the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign.

There will also be live music, sketches from members of the Red Shed Players, and a light buffet at the Vicarage Street Club.

The Express is also inviting people to share their memories and pictures of the strike. To get in touch, call 01924 433013, e-mail [email protected], comment via our Facebook page or send a tweet to @WakeExpress