Getting The Coal: Memories of a 20th Century Mining Community

by Jeanne Carswell, Tracey Roberts

Getting the Coal tells the story of a Leicestershire mining community, in the words of the people who lived there, from the early years of the 20th century to the closure of the pits in the 1990s. Work and home life, childhood, the perils of toiling underground, sports and pastimes, two world wars, unions and the strikes of the 1920s and 1980s, are all brought vividly to life. A picture emerges of close knit communities clustered around the pits and a way of life that has now disappeared, conveyed in the authentic voices of real people. And despite the struggle with a hard existence, those voices are full of humour, life and vitality.

263 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 5, 2012

Reviews

[Vicky Peplow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very touching stories

If you want to learn a little about what life was like for a coal miner and their families through the years then read this book. Filled with a lot of different little stories from different times and different generations.

Mainly based around Leicestershire but I'm sure a lot of these could have would have been the same anywhere in the country especially during the strikes especially in '84.