Miners Clever?
Some people used to doubt the intelligence of
the miner because he worked underground often in dangerous and dirty conditions.
Men worked in the pits for many reasons and some had grammar school education's.
The starting pay in the pit was usually better than that of an apprentice in some other
industries. The coal allowance came in handy as well, especially if you
were the only bread winner in the house. Some had tried other jobs first,
before becoming miners, and some had completed their time in the armed
forces before trying coal mining.
There was also the Bevin Boys, these
were men conscripted into the coal mines during the second world war because
coal was so important to the war effort. Some of them remained in the industry
to the end of their working lives.
At times of high unemployment, some
became coal miners because it was the only industry which had vacancies.
Some men did not have the best of education's, but with training and guidance
they made a valuable contribution to the industry. You can be sure of one
thing, when it comes to hard physical work, academic qualifications are
not that helpful.
Education was important to many miner's, just because
you worked underground it did not mean you lacked an interest in what went
on elsewhere.
In Derbyshire there was a course which ran for many years jointly funded
( I believe) by the Derbyshire Miners Union and the N.C.B. and held in
the Union offices at Chesterfield.
The tutors were from Sheffield University
extra mural department. I can't remember all the tutors names but Michael
Barratt Brown, Bob Heath and Harry Barnes (now an M.P.) come to mind.
The
course was highly successful and helped many miners to get back into a
learning groove. Quite a lot progressed from this course and went on to
college and university, others became involved in union work, local government,
social services etc. At least one (so I was informed) went on to become
a Government Minister.
The N.C.B. (National Coal Board) was always helpful
in assisting men who wanted to learn, apart from their own efforts in education,
they would release men from work (with pay) to attend day release courses.
They also gave men leave of absence (without pay) to attend institutions
of higher education, such as college or university, and study subjects
which were not related to mining.
The N.C.B. kept their job open for them
and also allowed them to work during the periods when the college or university
was on holiday.
Numerous miners made important contributions within their
community, obviously many were active trade unionists, but many were involved
in other ways not associated with mining, they spent endless hours (unpaid)
helping to manage and improve their areas.
The following is a list of just
a few:-
Councillors (although some are now receiving payments, it was not
always the case). School governors. Magistrates. Citizens advice. Local
football teams. Sports and gala's. Athletics. Cricket. Youth organizations.
The list could go on and on, but even this short list indicates how ordinary
miners made important decisions in the everyday running of their communities.
Men worked in the pit for different reasons but intelligence wise, miner's
were no different than anyone else.
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