On Behalf of The People: Work, Community, and Class in the British Coal Industry 1947-1994

Lead Research Organisation: University of Wolverhampton
Department Name: Faculty of Social Science

Abstract

The project is a new intervention into academic, political, and public debates on the history of the British coal industry between 1947 and 1994. The study is particularly timely given the recent closure of Kellingley in December 2015 the last deep coal mine in Britain. It draws upon both the experiential and academic knowledge of PI Gildart who spent seven years as an underground coal miner in Wales between 1985 and 1992.

The research will be based on extensive archival work in the coalfields, a comprehensive oral history project, interaction with former miners and colliery managers, a partnership with mining museums, and the development of a comprehensive interactive website, blog and touring exhibition. It will explore the development of the industry, its workplace cultures, industrial identities, politics, and individual and collective experiences through a detailed examination of eight collieries located in England, Scotland and Wales: Bickershaw Colliery (Lancashire, 1830-1992), Easington Colliery (Durham, 1899-1993), Hatfield Colliery (Yorkshire, 1916-2015), Annesley-Bentinck Colliery (Nottinghamshire, 1865-2000), Markham Colliery (Derbyshire, 1882-1993), Barony Colliery (Ayrshire, 1910-1989), Tower Colliery (Cynon Valley, 1864-2008), and Point of Ayr Colliery (Flintshire, 1890-1996).

The oral history project will seek to understand the everyday experiences of coal miners and officials in the workplace, the community and the domestic sphere. This will involve interviews with around 80 participants and substantial community engagement in former mining localities. As such it represents a landmark scholarly intervention into the history of the industry by examining policy development, deployment and reception at macro (Government/NCB), meso (coalfield) and micro (colliery/community/domestic) levels. The project will tease out the unifying and diversifying identities and tensions in the eight collieries and their connected communities. In contrast with much of the existing scholarship on the industry there will be a specific emphasis on gender, generation, masculinity, femininity and regional/national identity and how these aspects of mining life contributed to a sense of individual and collective memory.

The research will be organised around particular themes: the political evolution of public ownership and its local social/political impact, occupational culture and identity, the tensions between divergent industrial relations cultures and their impact on organisations, the changing nature of underground work, masculinity, gender relations, community fragmentation, deindustrialisation, memory, heritage, and the resilience of occupational and class identities. Chronologically the project will shed new light on key-moments in the history of the coal industry such as the debates around the nature of public ownership, the industrial disputes of 1972, 1974 and 1984/5 and the subsequent closure of all of the nation's deep mines in the first two decades of the twenty-first century. Yet just as importantly it will gauge the impact of these events on miners, their wives/girlfriends, children, and the wider community in which the collieries were located. The project will go beyond the organisational/institutional frameworks adopted by many historians of the industry in order to reveal both the unifying and fragmentary nature of occupational, national, local, and class identity.

The comprehensive coverage of the eight collieries, will support, stimulate and publicize research material that will be of use to academics, policymakers, schools, and the three major mining museums of England, Scotland and Wales. The website and published outputs will ensure that the project has broad impact in both the academic and public sphere. The project represents a significant reappraisal of the importance of the coal industry in shaping the identities, politics, and cultures of industrial localities in post-war Britain.

Planned Impact

Who benefits?

The project will have significant public impact benefitting from the social and cultural connections developed by PI Gildart during his experience as a coal miner and CI Perchard through his expertise as a former head of energy supply policy in the Scottish Executive. This will be complemented by a dissemination strategy informed by the advisory board.

The website and oral history project will be of value to diverse groups including:

- Museums/archives: coal mining museums in England, Scotland and Wales
- Local historians/local history societies/colliery preservation groups
- Primary schools/high schools
- Institutions investigating their own history: the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) (Scottish Area, Yorkshire Area, North Wales Area, North Western Area, North East Area, Nottinghamshire Area, North Derbyshire Area, South Wales Area), the British Association of Colliery Management (BACM), the National Association of the Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers (NACODS), and the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO).
- Surviving Miners' Welfare Institutes
- Family historians
- Those promoting local historical awareness e.g. the North Wales Miners Association Trust
- Local history organisations including but not exclusive to named project partners.
- The project will more generally stimulate and support public engagement with twentieth century British history. The first version of the website will be available early in year one, along with the project blog and the bi-monthly 'colliery of the month' feature, with a mechanism to support public submission of former miners and their families.

Anticipated benefits include:

- Recognition by user groups of the value of the coal industry for understanding continuity and change in British society. The development of awareness that the eight selected collieries were symbolic of the link between work, identity, community, culture and politics in the post-war period. They were also crucial in engendering a sense of individual and collective identity that reached beyond the workplace. By identifying, recovering and making accessible the history of the collieries, the project supports and publicises the work of local historians, as well as stimulating and activating local communities' and institutions' interest in their own histories
- Project partners will benefit from assistance in recovering and recording evidence of the history of the collieries and from participation in project events. The good practice in retrieving evidence of the importance of the collieries in working, domestic and socio/political lives will be disseminated in the wider local history constituency.
- Greater knowledge/understanding of coal mining resources in national and local mining museums and record offices, including those run by local authorities, leading to more footfall among all types of user
- Impact on archival repositories' acquisition, as the significance of new material related to the eight collieries is highlighted. Targeted institutions will be the named partners but also the People's History Museum (Manchester), the Working Class Movement Library (Salford), and the Modern Records Centre (University of Warwick).
- The website will be promoted as a resource for schools and colleges in the specific coalfields and beyond the chosen localities: its content (images, text, finding guides and downloadable education packs) will support teaching at various levels from primary to A-Level.
- The project's recovery of documentation and artefacts will extend and deepen collections held in partner organisations. This will not only assist in the interpretation of such sites for visitors, but could facilitate re-enactments of mining life that could enhance the reputation of mining museums as visitor attractions.
- The findings will also inform the historical content of courses offered by organisations such as the General Federation of Trade Unions

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description Oral history project consisting of interviews with 95 ex miners and their families, transcribed and digitised. The digitisation of coal industry archives including copies of Coal News and The Miner.
Exploitation Route Digitisation of major coal industry archival collections and publications such as Coal News and the newspaper of the National Union of Mineworkers, The Miner, will be of benefit to future research projects on coal communities.
Sectors Communities and Social Services/Policy

Creative Economy

Education

Energy

Environment

Leisure Activities

including Sports

Recreation and Tourism

Government

Democracy and Justice

Culture

Heritage

Museums and Collections

URL https://www.coalandcommunity.org.uk/
 
Description Television documentaries BBC podcasts Museum exhibitions Educational provision of Trade Unions Local history and heritage groups
First Year Of Impact 2018
Sector Education,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections
Impact Types Cultural

Societal

Economic

Policy & public services

 
Description Citation in the Scottish Government, Independent Review - Impact on Communities of the Policing of the Miners' Strike, 1984-85
Geographic Reach Local/Municipal/Regional 
Policy Influence Type Citation in other policy documents
URL https://www.gov.scot/publications/independent-review-impact-communities-policing-miners-strike-1984-...
 
Description Interview contribution to forthcoming Law Commission report for Welsh Government on coal-tip safety in south Wales coalfield
Geographic Reach Local/Municipal/Regional 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
 
Description Transformation of the education programmes of the General Federation of Trade Unions
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
Impact Research on the coal industry and the industrial relations culture of the National Coal Board informed course content for the training of trade union members by the General Federation of Trade Unions and its affiliated organisations.
 
Description Economic and Social Research Council
Amount £43,135 (GBP)
Organisation Economic and Social Research Council 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 12/2018 
End 05/2020
 
Description Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Canada
Amount $2,000,000 (CAD)
Organisation Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country Canada
Start 01/2021 
End 01/2027
 
Description Big Pit National Coal Museum Wales 
Organisation Big Pit National Coal Museum
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The project has a close working relationship with the museum. One of the Research Assistants (Dr Ben Curtis) is largely based in South Wales and has advised the museum on exhibitions, displays and community events. The project team have kept the museum informed of artefacts and documents that have been collected as part of the research.
Collaborator Contribution A representative from the Big Pit sits on the project advisory board. Their contribution has opened up opportunities for the further development of the oral history project connected to Tower Colliery.
Impact The project has been promoted in the south Wales coalfield leading to oral history interviews.
Start Year 2017
 
Description General Federation of Trade Unions 
Organisation General Federation of Trade Unions
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The project team have made a contribution to the development of education courses delivered by the GFTU to affiliates and their members, contributed to workshops and conferences.
Collaborator Contribution The general secretary of the GFTU sits on the project advisory board. Their contribution has been crucial in promoting the project across the labour movement.
Impact The partnership with the GFTU led to the establishment of a relationship between the project and the Durham Miners Association. The outcome has led to interviews for the oral history project and participation in events connected to the Durham Miners Gala.
Start Year 2017
 
Description National Coal Mining Museum for England 
Organisation National Coal Mining Museum for England
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The National Coal Mining Museum are partners on the project. Since the beginning of the project we have worked with advising them on archival collections, future public events, and oral history/community projects. This is maintained through meetings twice yearly in which the project team update the museum on artefacts, documents and oral history testimony that have been collected by the researchers.
Collaborator Contribution The museum has a representative that sits on the advisory board connected to the project. The representative keeps the project team up to date with current acquisitions. The museum has also played an important role in developing community links and suggesting oral history participants for the project.
Impact The collaboration with the museum has led to interviews with form miners at Prince of Wales Colliery.
Start Year 2017
 
Description National Mining Museum Scotland 
Organisation National Mining Museum Scotland
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The project team advise the museum on documents, artefacts and oral testimony that has been collected by the researchers.
Collaborator Contribution The museum have a representative that sits on the project advisory board that meets twice yearly. The museum has been important in allowing the project to scope oral history participants and material relating to Barony Colliery.
Impact Collaboration with the museum has promoted the project in Scotland and directly led to the recruitment of participants for the oral history project.
Start Year 2017
 
Description National Union of Mineworkers 
Organisation National Union of Mineworkers
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The National Union of Mineworkers have a closed archive of material that is of international and national importance. The project team are advising them on preservation and planning funding bids for securing the future of this resource. We worked with them to develop a successful grant application for The Barry Amiel and Norman Melburn Trust. This grant will fund an NUM Project to promote public engagement with the archive. We are supporting them to develop this grant.
Collaborator Contribution The National Union of Mineworkers have given the project team access to their closed archives.
Impact The National Union of Mineworkers have connected the project to various individuals who have participated in the oral history project relating to Prince of Wales Colliery.
Start Year 2018
 
Description Preserving the records of the National Union of Mineworkers 
Organisation University of Warwick
Department Modern Records Centre
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Working on funding bids to preserve the archives of the National Union of Mineworkers
Collaborator Contribution Meetings organised to discuss the viability of preserving the archive collection
Impact The Modern Records Centre has secured funding to begin initial work on scoping the National Union of Mineworkers Archive.
Start Year 2018
 
Description A talk at an event at Glamorgan Archives, plus accompanying TV interview 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed on S4C's Welsh-language magazine programme 'Heno' on 21 November 2017. The interview arose from the talk he gave at Archive Wales's 'Explore Your Archive' event which was held at the Glamorgan Archives on that day. Both the talk and the interview mentioned the usefulness of the Glamorgan Archives for his research, both for the project and more generally. The URL for this item was https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p05mdnhl/heno-tue-21-nov-2017 , but it is no longer extant.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Advising the National Union of Mineworkers on the organisation and preservation of their archives 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact The 'On Behalf of the People' project team visited the National Union of Mineworkers headquarters in Barnsley to scope the extent of the work needed to organise and preserve their substantial archives. We set up a working group drawing together advisors from the National Archives, the Wellcome Trust and the Modern Records Centre University of Warwick. Further meetings are planned in order to develop funding bids to secure the long term future of the archives of the National Union of Mineworkers and the Yorkshire Mineworkers Archive.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Advisor and onscreen appearance for DVD documentary A History of the European Working Class 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Release of DVD collection (4 discs) Le Temps Des Ouvriers (A History of the European Working Class. This was a documentary series directed by Stan Neumann. Disc 4 features commentary/analysis on artefacts collected for the 'On Behalf of the People' Project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://boutique.arte.tv/detail/le_temps_des_ouvriers
 
Description Advisory Board Warwickshire and Derbyshire NCB record cataloguing Wellcome Grant 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Grace Millar is on the Advisory Board of the Warwickshire and Derbyshire Record Office's Wellcome grant to catalogue and digitise National Coal Board records. This advisory board will help shape how this material is made available for the public to access.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description BBC Radio 4 interview 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Dr Curtis gave a interview with the BBC Radio 4 programme 'Open Country' for an episode entitled 'Rhondda valley: a landscape of change', which was broadcast on 4 May 2023. In it, he discussed the landscape of Cwmparc and the upper Rhondda Valleys, and the relationship between the south Wales coal industry and its landscape.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001ljj7
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description BBC Radio Cymru Welsh-language interview about the 60th anniversary of the Six Bells Colliery Disaster 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed in Welsh on the BBC Radio Cymru 'Dros Ginio' news programme, on 24 June 2020. As an invited guest onto the programme, he discussed the history and significance of the Six Bells Colliery Disaster of 1960 on its sixtieth anniversary. The Sounds IRL for this interview was https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000k98v , but is is not extant.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description BBC Radio Cymru Welsh-language interview about the legacy of coal-waste tips in the south Wales coalfield 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed in Welsh on the BBC Radio Cymru 'Post Cyntaf' news programme on 6 November 2020. He discussed the history of coal-tip management in the south Wales coalfield, with reference to both the Tylorstown coal-tip landslide of February 2020 and the Aberfan Disaster of 1966. The Sounds URL for this interview was https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000p1bl , but it is not extant.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description BBC Radio Cymru interview 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Dr Curtis gave a interview in Welsh with the BBC Radio Cymru programme 'Post Prynhawn', which was broadcast on 30 November 2023, in which he discussed the environmental legacy of the coal industry in south Wales, in the context of the closure today of the Ffos-y-Fran opencast mine.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001st2j
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description BBC Radio Cymru interview 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Dr Curtis gave a interview in Welsh with the BBC Radio Cymru programme 'Post Prynhawn', which was broadcast on 27 April 2023, in which he discussed the environmental legacy of the coal industry in south Wales, in the context of the decision not to allow continued production at Ffos-y-Fran opencast mine.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001lbfk
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description BBC Radio Wales interview 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Dr Curtis gave a interview with the BBC Wales radio programme 'Sunday Supplement', which was broadcast on 2 March 2024, in which he discussed the history of the 1984-5 miners' strike in south Wales, on the fortieth anniversary of the dispute.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001ww68
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description BBC Radio Wales interview about the 60th anniversary of the Six Bells Colliery Disaster 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed on the BBC Radio Wales 'Sunday Supplement' news programme, on 28 June 2020. As an invited guest onto the programme, he discussed the history and significance of the Six Bells Colliery Disaster of 1960 on its sixtieth anniversary. The Sounds IRL for this interview was https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000kfd8 , but is is not extant.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description BBC Radio Wales interview about the Tylorstown coal-tip slide 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed on the BBC Radio Wales 'Good Morning Wales' news programme, on 19 February 2020. As an invited guest onto the programme, he discussed the recent coal-tip landslide at Tylorstown in the context of the history of coal-tip management in the South Wales coalfield, and with particular reference to the Aberfan Disaster of 1966.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000fdn9
 
Description BBC Radio Wales interview about the historical significance of the coal industry 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed on the BBC Radio Wales 'Drive' news programme, on 9 June 2020. As an invited guest onto the programme, he discussed the historical significance of the south Wales coal industry, in the light of news that UK had (at that time) used no coal for electricity generation for a month or more.

The Sounds IRL for this interview was www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000jvqc , but is is not extant.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description BBC Radio Wales interview about the legacy of coal-waste tips in the south Wales coalfield 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed on the BBC Radio Wales 'Drive' news programme on 6 November 2020. He discussed the history of coal-tip management in the south Wales coalfield, with reference to both the Tylorstown coal-tip landslide of February 2020 and the Aberfan Disaster of 1966. The Sounds URL for this interview was https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000p0hh , but it is not extant.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description BBC Radio Wales interview about the legacy of coal-waste tips in the south Wales coalfield 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed on the BBC Radio Wales 'Drive' news programme on 28 September 2021. He discussed the history of coal-tip management in the south Wales coalfield, with reference to both the Tylorstown coal-tip landslide of February 2020 and the Aberfan Disaster of 1966. The Sounds URL for this interview was https://bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00101xk, but it is not extant.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description BBC Radio Wales interview about the legacy of coal-waste tips in the south Wales coalfield 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed on the BBC Radio Wales 'Sunday Supplement' news programme on 13 June 2021. He discussed the history of coal-tip management in the south Wales coalfield, with reference to both the Tylorstown coal-tip landslide of February 2020 and the Aberfan Disaster of 1966.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description BBC Radio Wales interview about the legacy of coal-waste tips in the south Wales coalfield 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed on the BBC Radio Wales 'Breakfast' news programme on 16 February 2021. He discussed the history of coal-tip management in the south Wales coalfield, with reference to both the Tylorstown coal-tip landslide of February 2020 and the Aberfan Disaster of 1966. The Sounds URL for this interview was https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000s8p7 , but it is not extant.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description BBC Radio Wales interview about the physical legacy of the coal industry in the south Wales coalfield 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed on the BBC Radio Wales 'Drive' news programme on 25 February 2021. He discussed the physical legacy of the coal industry in the south Wales coalfield. The Sounds URL for this interview was https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000sjt7 , but it is not extant.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description BBC Sounds podcast on the Miners' Strike February 2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Contributor to BBC Sounds podcast on the miners' strike.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description BBC Wales TV interview 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Dr Curtis gave a TV interview with the BBC1 Wales programme 'Wales Today', which was broadcast on 27 April 2023, in which he discussed the environmental legacy of the coal industry in south Wales, in the context of the decision not to allow continued production at Ffos-y-Fran opencast mine.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001lghx/bbc-wales-today-evening-news-27042023
 
Description BBC Wales TV interview 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Dr Curtis gave a TV interview for the BBC1 Wales programme 'Wales Today', which was broadcast on 14 November 2023, in which he discussed the legacy of coal tips in the south Wales coalfield.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description CGTN Europe TV interview 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Dr Curtis gave a TV interview with CGTN Europe, which was broadcast on 21 October 2023, in which he discussed the legacy of coal tips in the south Wales coalfield.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://stories.cgtneurope.tv/a-mountain-threat/index.html
 
Description Coal and Community blog and website 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Our website and blog is aimed for a general audience. It contains information about the project and our case study pits. The blog contains accessible discussion of our research and research activities. We have received inquiries about our project from our website, both from those wanting further information and from those wanting involvement. We have seen material we wrote on our blog discussed and shared on social media.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018,2019,2020
URL https://www.wlv.ac.uk/research/institutes-and-centres/centre-for-historical-research/coal-and-commun...
 
Description Coalfield event: On Behalf of the People, Auchinleck, East Ayrshire 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact This Scottish coalfield event is one of a number that were planned as part of the project to cover the eight coalfield areas that have been the subject of the project. It was held at Auchinleck Indoor Bowling Club, frequented by former Barony miners and inviting respondents and the local community from other coalfield villages in the area of East Ayrshire. We also had an enthusiastic response from local media and heritage groups who were able to see the project's touring exhibition panels covering each of the eight case study areas, as well as presentations from Professors Perchard and Gildart and project respondents/ contributors.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Consultation on People's History Museum New Permanent Exhibition 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact We were consulted and provided material to the People's History Museum as part of the redesign of their permanent exhibition. The consultation was with their professional staff. The museum attracts over 100,000 visitors a year, so our material as part of the permanent exhibition will reach a wide, international, audience.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Contribution to Newyddion S4C Digidol article about the the legacy of coal tips in the south Wales coalfield 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed and quoted in Welsh for an article discussing the legacy of coal tips in the south Wales coalfield. The article was entitled 'Angen "dros £500m"' i sicrhau diogelwch tomenni glo yng Nghymru' ['Need for "more than £500m to ensure safety of coal tips in Wales'], and was published on the Newyddion S4C Digidol website on 28 September 2021.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://newyddion.s4c.cymru/article/3833
 
Description Contribution to article in 'The Guardian' about the Tylorstown coal-tip slide 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was quoted in an article entitled 'Effects of Storm Dennis spark fears of Aberfan repeat in Wales' which was published in 'The Guardian' newspaper on 19 February 2020, in which he discussed the recent coal-tip landslide at Tylorstown in the context of the history of coal-tip management in the South Wales coalfield, and with particular reference to the Aberfan Disaster of 1966.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/19/coal-tip-inspections-under-way-after-welsh-landslide
 
Description Contribution to article on BBC website about the centrality of the coal industry to the historical development of the economy of South Wales 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was quoted in an article discussing the centrality of the coal industry to the historical development of the economy of South Wales. The article was entitled 'Without coal Wales would be part of England' and was published on the BBC website on 4 January 2020.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-50457035
 
Description Contribution to article on BBC website about the socio-political context to the Flying Pickets' 1983 Christmas number-one single 'Only You' 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis provided numerous quotations about the socio-political context to the Flying Pickets' 1983 Christmas number-one single 'Only You', in an article entitled 'The Christmas protest number one you rarely hear in shops', which was published on the BBC website on 22 December 2018.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-46345443
 
Description Discussant and panel chair for event organised by Llafur, the Welsh People's History Society 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact On 9 April 2022 Dr Curtis was the discussant and panel chair for an online public history event entitled 'Reinventing Ourselves - A Conversation on Heritage'. The event was organised by Llafur, the Welsh People's History Society. After the panel discussion, there was question-and-answer session with members of the audience about the topic.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://twitter.com/Llafur/status/1512762574030389254
 
Description End of On Behalf of the People Project Symposium, Quorn Grange Hotel, Loughborough 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact This event took place over 2 days and brought the project to a close. Participants included the project team, advisory board members, study participants, post-graduate students, third sector organisations (museums/trade unions/charities/heritage groups). The project exhibition was displayed and formal papers delivered by the project team, academics, post graduate students and study participants. The collaborative nature of the event generated much discussion and knowledge exchange.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Exhibition website 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Our exhibition website contains a wide range of digitised primary material and analysis. 3,000 people have visited our exhibition website. Many of these visits are the result of material being shared on social media. We are seeing discussions about our research on social media. We are getting inquiries on social media and through our website about further information and people interested in being involved in further research.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020,2021
URL http://coalandcommunity.org.uk
 
Description Feature in Cumnock Chronicle 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Newspaper article published on the aims and scope of the project. This has generated interest in the project and participants in the oral history project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description General Federation of Trade Unions networking event 13 November 2023 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Invited contributor to discussions on the future of educational provision with reference to labour history in the programmes of the General Federation of Trade Unions.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description ITV Wales TV interview 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Dr Curtis gave a TV interview with the ITV Wales programme 'The Sharp End', which was broadcast on 5 March 2024, in which he discussed the history of the 1984-5 miners' strike in south Wales, on the fortieth anniversary of the dispute.

https://www.itv.com/watch/news/sharp-end-march-5th/109x7hc
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Interview for 'The Guardian' 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was quoted in an article entitled '"We became activists by necessity": The fight to close the UK's largest opencast mine', which was published in 'The Guardian online newspaper on 6 August 2023, in which he discussing opencast mines in the south Wales coalfield, in the context of the controversy surrounding Ffos-y-Fran Mine. The URL for this article is https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/06/we-became-activists-by-necessity-the-fight-to-close-the-largest-opencast-mine-uk (not included below as system will not accept it.)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Interview for 'The National' online about the Aberfan Disaster and also its causes and consequences 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was quoted extensively in an article entitled 'Aberfan Disaster: Neglect, horror, trauma', which was published in 'The National' online newspaper on 21 October 2021, in which he discussed the Aberfan Disaster and also its causes and consequences.

The URL for this article is https://www.thenational.wales/news/19662443.aberfan-disaster-neglect-horror-trauma/ (not included below as system will not accept it.)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Interview for 'The National' online about the extent to which Conservative energy policy in the 1980s was driven by environmental concerns 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was quoted extensively in an article entitled 'Boris Johnson comments on Thatcher pit closures have "no basis in fact"', which was published in 'The National' online newspaper on 6 August 2021, in which he discussed the extent to which Conservative energy policy in the 1980s was driven by environmental concerns.

The URL for this article is https://www.thenational.wales/news/19497947.boris-johnson-comments-thatcher-pit-closures-no-basis-fact/?ref=twtrec (not included below as system will not accept it.)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Interview for 'The National' online about the nationalisation of the British coal industry and its subsequent history 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was quoted extensively in an article entitled 'Vesting Day: 75 years since coal was nationalised in 1947', which was published in 'The National' online newspaper on 1 January 2022, in which he discussed the nationalisation of the British coal industry and its subsequent history.

The URL for this article is https://www.thenational.wales/news/19819185.vesting-day-75-years-since-coal-nationalised-1947/ (not included below as system will not accept it.)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Interview for BBC television series 'HIdden Wales' 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis filmed an interview in August 2019 for the BBC television series 'Hidden Wales', in which he discussed the historical relationship between Cardiff Docks and the South Wales coal industry. This programme is scheduled for broadcast on BBC television in April 2020.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Interview for BBC television series Who Do You Think You Are? 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Contributed to a section of the BBC series Who Do You Think You Are? Interview and broadcast segment was on coal mining history.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Interview for Discovery Channel TV series 'Help! My House is Haunted' 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed for the Discovery Channel TV series 'Help! My House is Haunted', for the episode entitled 'Bargain to Burden'. He discussed the National Colliery disaster of 11 July 1905, together with the history of coal mining in the Ynyshir / Wattstown area. The programme was first broadcast on 25 June 2021.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Interview for German Television 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Supporters
Results and Impact Professor Gildart was interviewed by German Television for a documentary on the history of the European coal industry.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Interview for Hufvudstadsbladet (HBL) [a Finnish newspaper] about the history of the British coal industry and the UK's transition away from coal mining 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was quoted extensively in a Swedish-language article entitled 'Johnson spelar falskt på kolet i klimatstrategi' [Johnson plays falsely on coal in climate strategy']', which was published in Hufvudstadsbladet (HBL) [a Finnish newspaper] on 5 December 2021, in which he discussed the history of the British coal industry and the UK's transition away from coal mining.

The URL for this article is https://www.hbl.fi/artikel/boris-johnson-drar-in-kolet-i-brittiska-klimatpolitiken-men-forvranger-historien/ (not included below as system will not accept it.)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Interview for ITV Wales news website about the historical significance and legacy of the south Wales coal industry 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was quoted extensively in an article entitled 'Coal in Wales: Is it time to call time on Wales' black gold?', which was published on the ITV Wales news website on 8 January 2022, in which he discussed the historical significance and legacy of the south Wales coal industry.

The URL for this article is https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2022-01-08/coal-in-wales-is-it-time-to-call-time-on-wales-black-gold (not included below as system will not accept it.)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Interview for National News 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact On screen appearance on ITV News commenting on plans to open a new coal mine in Cumberland, UK
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.itv.com/news/border/2021-02-18/over-40-tory-mps-and-leaders-sign-letter-calling-for-cont...
 
Description Interview for S4C Disability History documentary 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Dr Curtis gave a TV interview in Welsh for the S4C disability history documentary programme 'Y Frwydr: Stori Anabledd', which was broadcast on 16 November 2023, in which he discussed the history of disability in Wales, both in general and with regards the coal industry specifically; also personal reflections on disability and his family.

The episode is available to view via: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0gq8vck/y-frwydr-stori-anabledd-pennod-1
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Interview for news bulletin BBC Radio 4 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Interview on Radio 4 PM Programme (news bulletin) on the industrial history of the West Midlands
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Interview on BBC Radio 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact BBC Radio Stoke Interview on the Stuart George Breakfast Show on the history of coal mining and soul music.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Interview on ITV News Bulletin 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Interviewed by ITN News for comment on plans to open new coal mine in Cumberland
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Interview with BBC Radio Stoke 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Interview on BBC Radio Stoke (the Stuart George Show). Discussion around the history of soul music in coal mining communities.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Interview with Smoketrail TV 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Expert advice provided to Smoketrail TV for radio series being developed on Coal's Last Stand
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Invited speaker - Women and the 1984-85 Miners' Strike 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Roundtable discussion around women and the miners' strike book at the Institute for Historical Research, involving a mixed audience of academics, PGRs, press, trade unionists, and wider publics, speaking about findings from our project. This involved both Professor Keith Gildart and Professor Andrew Perchard, as principal and co-investigators, speaking about the project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Meeting with broadcaster Jeremy Paxman to discuss history of the coal industry 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Event organised by the broadcaster Jeremy Paxman to discuss the history of the British coal industry. Participants included MPs, journalists and publishers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Mining the Seams Panel 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact 25 archivists, historians and members of the public attended a seminar about the 'Mining the Seams' Derbyshire and Warwickshire project with coal mining archives. Our contribution was a paper by Grace Millar 'Attics and Austerity: How the history of coal mining affects the archival record'. This resulted in discussion among library professionals, including additions to archiving practices.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description News coverage of citation of Perchard research in Scottish Government Independent Review of the impact of policing on communities in the miners' strike, 1984-85 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Refer to policy impact. These press reports covered the citation of Perchard's research in the Scottish Government's Independent Review into policing of the miners' strike in Scotland, 1984-85. The outcome of this independent review is that the Scottish Government have announced that they will now introduce legislation to allow them to quash those unfair criminal convictions of striking miners.

Coverage featured in The Chronicle and the Journal, 7 November 2020
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Obituary of Les Kelly former miners' leader in the Guardian newspaper, 11 March 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The piece in the Guardian generated more requests from local and national media outlets who wanted more information on coal mining history
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description On-screen appearance for BBC ONE Who Do You Think You Are? 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact I appeared on screen to discuss the history of the British coal industry for an episode of the BBC series Who Do You Think You Are? The celebrity guest was the actor Jodie Whittaker the star of Dr Who. I discussed the history of coal mining in Yorkshire with Jodie and the role of trade unions in working class communities. The show was broadcast on BBC One in the 9.00pm prime time slot reaching a substantial number of the viewing public.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000nh4f#:~:text=Doctor%20Who%20and%20Broadchurch%20actor,shortly%2...
 
Description Panel member and speaker at event on Women and the 1984/5 miners' strike Senate House University of London 23 March 2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Member of panel that included film-makers, ex-coal miners at event on women and the miners' strike of 1984/5 at Senate House University of London. Event created discussion between ex-miners, women from mining communities, trade union members and academic researchers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Paper exhibition 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact We sent a paper copy of our touring exhibtion to 94 participants (this was a COVID response as we were not able to tour the exhibition at this time). We received positive feedback from those who received it. One person took a photo of the exhibition and posted it on social media, which resulted in further discussion.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Participation in debate on BBC Radio 5: Thatcher, Johnson and Coal Mining Communities 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Debate on the Conservative Party on Azhar Mobeen's programme on BBC Radio 5 Live. Other participants included former Conservative MP Edwin Currie and Chris Kitchen from the National Union of Mineworkers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Participation in event on the history of trade unions organised by the Workers Educational Association 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Event organised by the Workers Educational Association and the General Federation of Trade Unions on the history of the British labour movement. Delivery of 1 hour presentation. Q&A after the event in a follow-up session with attendees.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Participation on advisory board of the 'Walking Together' Memorial project - and the training of volunteers 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact The Walking Together Memorial Project was established by community activists, historian and families of ex-miners to develop a walking train that contains 106 exhibits relating to the history of Markham Colliery, Derbyshire. The 'On Behalf of the People' project team is represented on the project board. The Walking Together Memorial Project has developed a website to remember Markham Mine. The project team provided a workshop for volunteers on archival research with the NCB and NUM archives. Volunteers then used the skills they'd developed to identify relevant material for the website. Our contribution enhanced the website, which is available to the general public, and also developed community members' knowledge and skills
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://markhamstorymine.org/
 
Description Presentation to Wolverhampton and Bilston Trades Council 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Grace Millar presented on behalf of the Project to the Wolverhampton Trades Council. As well as introducing the research the talk focused on the importance of union history, memory and archiving union material.

Delegates to Trades Council undertook a sustained discussion afterwards. There was substantial interest both in the project and in the wider point about union history. Those attending asked for further information about both archives and how to use history in their movement. The relationship has been maintained.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Presenter, workshop keyword series 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Presenter on the Deindustrialization and the Politics of Our Time Keyword Workshop Series on Moral Economy, 12 February 2021
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/5-moral-economy-depot-keyword-workshop-series-tickets-121035824409
 
Description Presenter, workshop keyword series 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Panellist on Deindustrialization and the Politics of Our Time network grant keyword seminar series (Brownfield), 11 December 2020
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/3-brownfield-depot-keyword-workshop-series-tickets-121034420209
 
Description Public Event: On Behalf of the People Coal Mining History Project Exhibition 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The project exhibition was part of a public event that took place in Rhyl, Wales in collaboration with the Point of Ayr Community Heritage Group. This brought together the project team, study participants, ex-coal miners and members of the general public. Over 70 people were in attendance. There were questions and discussion related to the project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Radio interview about South Wales coal industry 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed on the BBC Radio Wales 'Good Morning Wales' news programme, on 17 October 2018. As an invited guest onto the programme, he discussed the historical significance of the South Wales coal industry in an article about coal mining. The URL for this article was https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0000qxq , but it is not extant.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Radio interview about the NEEMARC archives at the University of Sunderland 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact On 23 January 2020, Dr Curtis did a radio interview which was broadcast on Sun FM's news bulletin, in which he discussed the importance of the University of Sunderland's NEEMARC [North-East of England Mining Archive and Research Centre] to the study of coal-mining history in north-east England.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Radio interview plus historical advice and interviewee suggestions for WDR [German radio station] podcast 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact In July 2020 Dr Curtis recorded a radio interview for WDR [German radio broadcasters] for a podcast they were producing about Brexit, in which he discussed the history of the south Wales coalfield in this context. He also provided historical advice and interviewee suggestions to the recording crew. Although his interview was not included within the final cut of the podcast when it was released in December 2020, the crew took up his suggestion and interviewed NUM South Wales Area general secretary Wayne Thomas, which subsequently formed part of the broadcast.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www1.wdr.de/mediathek/audio/wdr5/wdr5-tiefenblick/audio-brexitannia--der-feind-im-inneren-10...
 
Description Reflections on coal mining and the miners' strike 1984/5 Cardiff University 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Invited contributor for an event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the miners strike of 1984/5. The event included, former miners. women from miners' support groups, former officials of the National Union of Mineworkers, television and print journalists.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description S4C TV interview 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Dr Curtis gave a TV interview in Welsh with the S4C programme 'Newyddion', which was broadcast on 14 November 2023, in which he discussed the legacy of coal tips in the south Wales coalfield.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Subcultures Network Workshop 12 February 2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Contributor to workshop on youth culture and the creation of a National Museum of Youth Culture. I was invited to talk about popular music in coal mining communities in the 1960s and 1970s.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Supported the Warwickshire and Derbyshire Modern Record Offices in their Wellcome bid for indexing their National Coal Board files. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Members of the research team advised archivists on developing a funding bid to provide support for organising National Coal Board archives.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description TV interview about Tower Colliery 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed on the ITV Wales 'Wales at Six' news programme on 25 January 2018. He discussed Tower Colliery and the rundown of the South Wales coal industry in the 1980s and 1990s, in item about the tenth anniversary of the closure of Tower Colliery. He also was quoted in the ITV Wales website article which accompanied the news item. The URL for this article was http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2018-01-25/10-years-after-tower-colliery-shut-what-next-for-the-site/ , but it is not extant.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description TV interview about the Tylorstown coal-tip landslide 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed on the ITV Wales 'Wales at Six' news programme on 18 February 2020. He discussed the recent coal-tip landslide at Tylorstown in the context of the history of coal-tip management in the South Wales coalfield, and with particular reference to the Aberfan Disaster of 1966.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2020-02-18/are-old-coal-tips-safe-what-we-know-after-the-rhondda-land...
 
Description TV interview about the history and legacy of the south Wales coal industry 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed on the BBC Wales TV news programme 'Wales Today' on 17 January 2022, in which he discussed the history and legacy of the south Wales coal industry.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description TV interview about the legacy of coal-waste tips in the south Wales coalfield 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed on the BBC Wales 'Wales Today' TV news programme on 16 February 2021. He discussed the history of coal-tip management in the south Wales coalfield, with reference to both the Tylorstown coal-tip landslide of February 2020 and the Aberfan Disaster of 1966.

The iPlayer URL for this interview was https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000sgm0/bbc-wales-today-lunchtime-news-16022021 , but it is not extant.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56073459
 
Description TV interview about the legacy of coal-waste tips in the south Wales coalfield 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed on the BBC Wales 'Wales Today' TV news programme on 6 November 2020. He discussed the history of coal-tip management in the south Wales coalfield, with reference to both the Tylorstown coal-tip landslide of February 2020 and the Aberfan Disaster of 1966.

The iPlayer URL for this interview was https:// www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000p7hb/bbc-wales-today-evening-news-06112020 , but it is not extant.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-54829054
 
Description TV interview on BBC programme about Welsh history 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis filmed an interview with Prof. Martin Johnes in January 2019, for the latter's BBC programme about Welsh history. This two-part series was entitled 'Wales:England's Colony?' and was broadcast on BBC television in March 2019.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0003j7g
 
Description TV interview plus historical advice and locations suggestions for 'Hidden Wales' BBC Wales TV programme 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact In August 2019 Dr Curtis filmed a TV interview for the BBC Wales television programme 'Hidden Wales', as well as providing historical advice and filming location suggestions to the TV crew. Although his interview was not included within the final cut of the programme when it was broadcast in September 2020, his suggestion of filming at the former Penallta Colliery site provided the visual centrepiece of the episode. He was credited as a historical advisor on the programme's title credits.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019,2020
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000mplw/hidden-wales-with-will-millard-series-2-episode-3
 
Description Talk at Cynon Valley Museum about Cynon Valley coal-mining history 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis visited the Cynon Valley Museum, Aberdare, on 26 March 2022 and gave a public lecture as part of the launch of Glamorgan Archives' 'Glamorgan's Blood: Dark Arteries, Old Veins' exhibition there. The lecture was entitled 'The History of the Coal Industry in the Cynon Valley' and was followed by a question-and-answer session with members of the audience about the mining history of the Cynon Valley.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://twitter.com/cynonvalleymus/status/1507318880456232961
 
Description Talk at a primary school about south Wales coal-mining history 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Dr Curtis visited Cefn Fforest Primary School, Cefn Fforest, on 22 February 2024 and gave a talk to the Year 5 pupils. The talk was entitled 'South Wales Coal History' and was followed by a question-and-answer session with the pupils about the mining history of south Wales.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://twitter.com/DrBCCurtis/status/1760629638769053712
 
Description Talk at a primary school about south Wales coal-mining history 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Dr Curtis visited Cefn Fforest primary school, Cefn Fforest, on 18 January 2023 and gave a talk to the Year 6 pupils. The talk was entitled 'South Wales Coal History' and was followed by a question-and-answer session with the pupils about the mining history of south Wales.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://twitter.com/DrBCCurtis/status/1615699251492950019
 
Description Talk to Ukrainian refugees' group about south Wales coal-mining history 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact On 11 February 2023 Dr Curtis gave a talk to the Ukrainians in Caerphilly Conversational and Cultural Club, a group of Ukrainian refugees and volunteers that meets at the Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community, Caerphilly. The talk was entitled 'South Wales Coal History / ??????? ??????? ?????????? ??????' and was followed by a question-and-answer session with the group about the mining history of south Wales.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.facebook.com/groups/345163337550062/permalink/506201984779529/
 
Description Welsh-language TV interview about Deep Navigation Colliery 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed on the S4C Welsh-language magazine programme 'Heno' on 13 May 2019. Speaking in Welsh, he discussed the history of Deep Navigation Colliery and its socio-economic significance to the local community, in an item about the opening of a photograph exhibition about the colliery in the nearby town of Treharris. The URL for this article was https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p077v40t/heno-mon-13-may-2019 , but it is not extant.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Welsh-language TV interview about the legacy of coal-waste tips in the south Wales coalfield 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed in Welsh on the S4C 'Newyddion S4C' TV news programme on 6 November 2020. He discussed the history of coal-tip management in the south Wales coalfield, with reference to both the Tylorstown coal-tip landslide of February 2020 and the Aberfan Disaster of 1966.

The iPlayer URL for this interview was https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p08w6xjx/newyddion-s4c-pennod-30 , but it is not extant.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Welsh-language TV interview about the legacy of coal-waste tips in the south Wales coalfield 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dr Curtis was interviewed in Welsh on the S4C 'Newyddion S4C' TV news programme on 28 September 2021. He discussed the history of coal-tip management in the south Wales coalfield, with reference to both the Tylorstown coal-tip landslide of February 2020 and the Aberfan Disaster of 1966.

The iPlayer URL for this interview was https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p09vzl7g/newyddion-s4c-pennod-129 , but it is not extant.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Welsh-language talk at a primary school about south Wales coal-mining history 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Dr Curtis visited Ysgol Penalltau primary school, near Ystrad Mynach, on 27 February 2023 and gave a Welsh-language talk to the Year 4 pupils. The talk was entitled 'Hanes Glo De Cymru' ['South Wales Coal History'] and was followed by a question-and-answer session with the pupils about the mining history of south Wales.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://twitter.com/DrBCCurtis/status/1630624757082144779
 
Description Welsh-language talk at a primary school about south Wales coal-mining history 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Dr Curtis visited Ysgol Bro Allta primary school, Ystrad Mynach, on 27 January 2022 and gave a Welsh-language talk to the Year 6 pupils. The talk was entitled 'Hanes Glo De Cymru' ['South Wales Coal History'] and was followed by a question-and-answer session with the pupils about the mining history of south Wales.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://twitter.com/ysgolbroallta/status/1486667415815610370
 
Description Work with Arte TV channel 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Professor Gildart worked with the French documentary film maker Stan Neumann on a 3-part documentary on the history of the European working class. Gildart was filmed for interview segments of the film and the director utilised archive material that had been collected by the 'On Behalf of the People Project' project team.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Work with Point of Ayr Colliery History Group 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Professor Gildart has provided guidance and expertise to the Point of Ayr Colliery History Group on their future plans for creating a small mining museum that is planned for 2019 in the North Wales region.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018