Description:
A red protest banner with yellow lettering that reads 'COLE NOT DOLE'. It was made by a Leamington based women's group in support of the Miners' Strike of 1984-85. The group were based at 'The Other Branch' book shop and Bath Place. They supported a wide range of left wing and peace ideals.
The miners' strike began on the 5th March 1984 in protest against the proposed closure of Cotonwood pit, near Barnsley, Yorkshire. Shortly after this it was revealed that Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government planned to close 20 pits leading to 20,000 job losses. By the 12th March half of Britain's 187,000 miners were on strike. The strike lasted exactly a year and ended in failure for the miners, most of whom were forced back to work due to loss of earnings.