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Eric Richardson follwed his father and grandfather into Dodsworth Pit, joining as an apprentice underground fitter aged 15. When Dodsworth closed the workforce was transferred to Park Mill. When Park Mill closed he went to Selby, working as a contractor as all the permanent jobs had been filled by pits that had been closed earlier on. Eric reckons the smaller pits were closed to ensure there were sufficient experienced miners to run the new ‘super-pit’.
As a branch official he was active in the Miners Strike of 1984-5 and gives fascinating insight into the role and organisation of the flying pickets, including the use of “nipsey sticks”, the police actions at Orgreave and the government strategy against the strike.
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