At the Coalface

by Catherine Paton Black

Growing up in a mining family, Cath's husband Doug promised his father he wouldn't follow in his dangerous footsteps. But after struggling with terrible poverty in 1970s Scotland, Doug decided a pit job would provide his wife and young family much needed security, despite extraordinary risks to life and limb. Every day, Cath kissed her husband goodbye, not knowing if she'd see him again as he went to work at the coalface. And while her husband toiled deep below, the mother-of-five put her cooking and cleaning skills to use in the colliery canteen. In good times and bad, the miner's wives pulled together as much as their men underground. Then Thatcher swept to power and suddenly loyalties were tested and a fight for survival of a different kind ensued. One for their very existence.

Hardcover

First published June 7, 2012

Reviews

[Someone]

Really fascinating book, I was born in 73 I vaguely recall when the strikes were happening, although my family were not directly involved, it shows how the impact was felt even by those who were not directly involved in mining

[Kevin Clarridge]

After bevercotes being the first pit out of 3 i worked down i had to read this book and it was brilliant.

[Kazimiera pendrey]

a sometimes heartbreaking and heartwarming memoir of a very remarkable amd strong woman who lived through some truly awful life experiences but her courage and resourcefullness never let hwn down a real must read memoir