Former miner Alan McKenzie and his daughter share their memories of the 1984-5 strike.
Alan McKenzie was one of the Telford Dozen, a group of miners who stuck with the strike until the endA former miner who was on strike for the whole of the miners' strike in 1984 -85 said there was still life left in most collieries at the time and the miners were striking for the future.
The 74-year-old, from Madeley, said while the strike was tough, the miners had great support from local businesses and organisations. The miners' eventual defeat was the end of an era for Britain's trade union movement and helped cement Mrs Thatcher's reputation as the Iron Lady.She told BBC Radio Shropshire of her first memory of the strike, when her parents explained the situation to her and her brother.
"I remember dad explaining that it was important because it wasn't going to stop at the miners, it was going to be other services, other industries, so it was really important to make this stand.Ms McKenzie said the most upsetting moment from the strike for her was when she was at Brownies and an adult told her she would not be able to afford to go to Brownie camp.
"But then that Christmas, we weren't expecting anything. And through the generosity of the local people, it was probably the best Christmas that we've ever experienced." While he acknowledged that people spoke of animosity after the strike ended, Mr McKenzie told how a group of miners reacted after a fatal incident.
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