North Wales Miners: A Fragile Unity, 1945-1996 (Studies in Welsh History)

The inter-relationship of coal, community and politics is central to the history of modern Wales and, for many, the South Wales valleys symbolise the culture of coalfield communities. A Fragile Unity: The North Wales Miners, 1945-1996 offers a new insight into mining history. It moves away from the industrial south and examines the recent history of the north Wales coalfield and its place in working class history. Keith Gildart concentrates on the period between the nationalisation of the coal industry in 1947 and its privatisation in 1994 and, through a detailed study of groups, individuals and communities, demonstrates the complex nature of work and politics during a period of momentous change in the British coalfield history. He pays particular attention to the politics of the National Union of Mineworkers, the role of the Labour Party, and the impact of pit closures on miners and their localities. A Fragile Unity combines oral history and archival sources to provide a groundbreaking account of social, political and industrial change in post-war Wales.