clair056

Some musical/dance images from Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which I visited this weekend: 'Melody' by Kellock Brown (1894) 'Music' designed by David Gauld, made by Hugh McCulloch & Co., Glasgown (c.1891)  Angel musician, detail from 'The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin' by Harry Clarke (1923) - a stained glass window originally designed for a convent in Dowanhill, Glasgow as above The Dance of Spring by E.A. Hornel (1864-1933)  

It is now more than 30 years since the 1984-85 miners strike, the last great stand of what had once been seen as the most militant and powerful section of the working class in Britain. The dispute started in South Yorkshire in March 1984 with miners walking out in response to the announcement that Cortonwood pit was threatened with closure. The miners claimed that there was a Government and coal board plan to close down large parts of the industry, and the National Union of Mineworkers called a national strike. The strike finished a year later in defeat. The miners’ claims that the industry was under threat were soon proved correct – the last deep mine in the UK closed last December. The full forces of the state were mobilised against the strike. New laws were passed, more than 11,000 arrests were made and almost 200 miners were imprisoned. On the other side there was significant support for the strike, with miners support groups being set up across the country. On the music fro...