Pit villages were mono-cultures. Almost all the men worked in the nearby colliery and wives stayed at home looking after the kids. The centres of social life were the local shop(s), Post Office and the Miners Welfare. The Welfare was where families socialised. Women were not served at the bar and often would sit at tables with their children whilst the men congregated round the bar discussing union matters and the fortunes of the local football teams.
When the pit closed the sense of community was lost. The men had to find work miles away and the women had to find part-time work. Household income dropped dramatically. The reduction in disposable income affected attendance at the Welfare and in many cases led to closure. The corner shop(s) closed as they could not compete with the supermarket. On leaving school many of the young people drifted away - on their bikes - to find jobs.
Some scoff at the concept of working class solidarity and its virtues. Pit villages had it and we are much the worse for its demise.
KENT COMMUNITY ACTIVIST: acerbic, carping, caustic, curmudgeonly,critical, cynical, grumpy, moaning, sardonic and plain speaking.
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