A collaborative project by Esther Johnson and Debbie Ballin
This portfolio of work includes an audio documentary, photography and archive items from the collections of People’s History Museum and National Coal Mining Museum for England.
Background
"We got presents that were donated….
I got a little cheap plastic watch and a coat that my auntie had made,
but I just didn’t even care ’cos I was having so much fun.”
– Sam, Miner’s Daughter aged 15 during the strike
It’s Christmas 1984. Sam, Gayle, Jayne and Craig are the children of striking miners. This is the story of how acts of generosity by total strangers made their Christmas possible that year, and what it was like for them to grow up in the shadow of the Miners’ Strike.
During the Miners’ Strike in December 1984, the Thatcher government paid pensioners the same £10 Christmas heating bonus they had received since 1972. A nationwide appeal, in several national newspapers, invited pensioners to give up their bonus in support of the striking miners. Hundred’s of pounds worth of bonuses were donated to support this cause. Thanks to remarkable acts of generosity many children of Miners’ and their families were able to celebrate Christmas that year.
This portfolio of work includes an audio documentary, photography and archive items from the collections of People’s History Museum and National Coal Mining Museum for England.
Background
"We got presents that were donated….
I got a little cheap plastic watch and a coat that my auntie had made,
but I just didn’t even care ’cos I was having so much fun.”
– Sam, Miner’s Daughter aged 15 during the strike
It’s Christmas 1984. Sam, Gayle, Jayne and Craig are the children of striking miners. This is the story of how acts of generosity by total strangers made their Christmas possible that year, and what it was like for them to grow up in the shadow of the Miners’ Strike.
During the Miners’ Strike in December 1984, the Thatcher government paid pensioners the same £10 Christmas heating bonus they had received since 1972. A nationwide appeal, in several national newspapers, invited pensioners to give up their bonus in support of the striking miners. Hundred’s of pounds worth of bonuses were donated to support this cause. Thanks to remarkable acts of generosity many children of Miners’ and their families were able to celebrate Christmas that year.
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People's History Museum collection
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National Coal Mining Museum for England collection
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Project links
Website: echoes-of-protest.weebly.com
Twitter: @echoesofprotest
Esther Johnson Website: blanchepictures.com
Debbie Ballin Website: debbieballin.weebly.com
Website: echoes-of-protest.weebly.com
Twitter: @echoesofprotest
Esther Johnson Website: blanchepictures.com
Debbie Ballin Website: debbieballin.weebly.com
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The development of this research has been supported by the:
Art, Design and Media Research Centre Sheffield Hallam University People’s History Museum Manchester National Coal Mining Museum for England Wakefield |
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Copyright © 2015 Esther Johnson and Debbie Ballin. All rights reserved worldwide.
