Italian and Polish miners were very supportive of Britsh miners during the Miners' Strike of 1984-5.This sugar bag is part of a consignment of non-perishable food which was sent by sympathetic Italian miners through the trade unions to help the families of striking miners during the 1984 strike. The bag was distributed to the families of miners who worked at Bentley Colliery. During the strike there was much national support with charitable collections but there was also a strong local community effort. This included the miners' wives who organised soup kitchens and meals for them throughout the strike. The sugar bag represents a feeling of international solidarity and support by the Italians for their fellow miners. It is a wonderful human gesture of support and is both practical and truly useful. Italy was not alone in giving help. Other countries, such as Poland, were also most generous in their support of the Yorkshire Miners.
Share this link: