THE POLITICS OF THE DOORSTEP

Abstract

This paper considers the legacy of continuing activism of women in the North East of England who organized in support of the 1984–85 miners’ strike. It refers to the traditional responsibility of women in mining localities for the maintenance of neighbourhood and kin relations and using the example of a key activist in one ex-mining village, it argues that the values associated with ‘mining community’ remain relevant as a reference point for a self-conscious, politicized reshaping of local relationships in post-industrial conditions. The material basis for this self-conscious approach has shifted from the masculine sphere of mining work and its associated community institutions to the feminized sphere of location and neighbourhood.

Cet article examine l'héritage du militantisme des femmes du Nord-Est de l'Angleterre qui se sont organisées pour soutenir la grève des mineurs de 1984–85 et qui ont continué leur action depuis. Il prend comme point de départ la responsabilité traditionnelle que les femmes dans les localités minières pour le maintien des relations de voisinage et de famille, et il se sert de l'exemple d'une militante qui a joué un rôle de premier plan dans une ancienne agglomération minière pour soutenir la thèse que les valeurs associées à la «communauté minière» restent pertinentes comme point de référence pour la restructuration consciente et politisée des relations locales dans des conditions post-industrielles. La base sociale de cette approche consciente s'est déplacée à partir du domaine masculin du travail à la mine et de ses institutions communautaires associées pour se centrer désormais sur le domaine féminisé de l'agglomération et du voisinage.

Keywords:

• women
• miners' strike
• community
• neighbourhood
• kinship

Most-clés:

• les femmes
• la grève des mineurs
• communauté
• voisinage
• familles

Notes

1. All the names used are pseudonyms. Although there is a strong case for using the women's own names in terms of the contribution which they have made to the history of mining life, it was agreed with the women at the outset to anonymize them. ‘Jean’ was the name chosen by this important participant.

2. Thomas Hepburn founded the Northern Union of Pitmen in 1831. He was known as a man of peace and used his influence to help prevent rioting and violence during strikes. Nevertheless he was banned from working in the northern coalfield because of his role in the organization of strikes in 1831 and 1832.

3. Peter Lee was a miner who became leader of England's first all-Labour County Council in Durham in 1909. The new town Peterlee is named after him.

4. Sam Watson (1898–1967) was Secretary of the Durham Miners’ Union until 1963. He was known for his commitment to the education of miners and ran tutorial classes in Redhill the Durham Headquarters of the Union. His name is linked with a convalescent home for miners’ wives, opened in 1961 in honour of his commitment to the well-being of women associated with mining.