A group of more than 150, including around 100 ex-miners and Westoe Miners Women's Support Group, took a commemorative walk from Mowbray Park in South Shields to the old gates of Westoe Colliery Site.
These were the same steps taken 40 years ago to the day as they returned to work after a year-long strike. The poignance of the day was reflected in the miners’ banners held aloft, now so synonymous with the mining industry’s legacy, and a symbol of solidarity through hardship.
More than 140,000 workers had walked out across the country in March 1984 to protest Margaret Thatcher's planned closure of 20 pits. The strike came to an end 12 months later when the National Union of Mineworkers narrowly voted to stop the dispute without settlement.
With communities divided and families struggling to make ends meet, miners went back to the pits two days later.
Walking down Milner Street towards Westoe Colliery’s old entrance to the sound of Harton and Westoe brass band, those present on the commemorative walk cast their memory back to the day they came off the picket line.
Speaking to ITV Tyne Tees, Alan Mardghun, secretary of Durham Miners’ Association, said: “When we went back to work, I wasn’t happy. I was aware we were leaving lads behind, still outside the gates, sacked and victimised miners. We hadn’t achieved what we set out to [..]”
He added: “We fought valiantly, and I’m proud of the lads and lasses that I stood with. [I] also reflect on people who stood shoulder to shoulder with us and are no longer with us.”
Former miner, John McCabe said: “The bond that miners have is immense. It’s like no other bond in the world. We’ve got the word ‘Marra’ - [...] your bond and your brother for life.”
The chairman of the Harton and Westoe Miners Heritage Group, Ronnie Peterson, also spoke to the Sunderland Echo, saying: “We had a brilliant day with a fantastic turnout,”.
“Local people turned up as well as some who came from further afield. I met lads who I had not seen for 40 years.”
Westoe Colliery operated from 1909 to 1993, before it was redeveloped into Westoe Crown Village.