The Toughest Half

Contents Chapter 1: A poor Collier Lass - Case Study 1 The personal story of one woman's appalling experiences of working down a mine is told by her orphan niece, Rebecca, also co-opted into working down the mine. Rebecca relates what happened to her and the type of work she did after the 1842 Act prohibited women's underground work. Chapter 2: Igniting the spark The history of coal mining and its role in making Britain a major world force during the Industrial Revolution. It describes the gruesome working conditions, particularly those of women underground and details the factors leading to, and the consequences to women, of the 1842 Mines and Collieries Act and depicts how these working women were regarded through the prism of Victorian prudery. Chapter 3: Coming of Age Introduces Nan whose life story is woven into this history of women and coal mining. Discusses World War I and the effect on mining and the role of women. The social background and conditions, including childbirth, of miners' wives discussed against the background of Nan's early life and career choice which illustrates how her story is relevant to the book. Chapter4: Jenny and Tommy - Case Study 2. This epitomises the story of a young miner and his wife, tells of their backgrounds and how Tommy came to be a miner and Jenny a miner's wife. Describes the life and routine of a young miner's wife in a growing mining community from the beginning of the 20th century. Chapter 5: Where there's muck - Birth of a coal mining community 1900-1914: Describes the social background in which Jenny and Tommy grew up. Documents the origins of Creswell, the village central to the book. Gives the history of the sinking of the mine, building the village, the beginning of the social life and emphasises the role and effect on the women who became miners' wives. Chapter 6: Cleanliness, Godliness, Childbirth - The Welsh mam Nan has now completed her training and about to embark upon her career. Continues her story in the context of post World War 1 when women began to be emancipated. The optimism of women's new found freedom and independence is not shared by all women. Using a small Welsh mining village in 1920, the chapter describes the harsh conditions and hard work of miner's wives. Discusses Marie Stopes' work and its relevance to women in such a community. Chapter 7: Every heart deserves a mate: Carys's dilemma - Case Study 3 Introduces Meg and Gwyn Owen who appear later in the book. Tells of their meeting and marriage but, more importantly, the story of Gwyn's sister-in-law. Carys is a typical miners' wife at that time - young, numerous children and influenced by nonconformist preaching and the victim of paternalism. Being largely ignorant of matters of contraception, she experiences an unwanted pregnancy and procures an illegal abortion. The circumstances affect Meg deeply. Although she has had some experience of the outside world, Meg's life seems destined to emulate her sister-in-law's. Deeply affected by Carys's dilemma, their futures are destined to differ. Chapter 8: Not a penny off the pay... 1918-1927: Describes the background and events leading to the 1926 General Strike and subsequent lockout of miners. Chapter 9: Isn't it marvellous? 1926-1927: Contrasts the conditions experienced in mining communities with the attitude of the upper classes towards the strike. Talks about the harsh effect of the miners' lockout on the wives and families of miners. Circumstances changed the lives and outlooks of some women many of whom reverted to their previous traditional roles at the end of the lockout. However, some notable women emerged but the adverse effects of the lockout were long-lasting. Gives biographies of three women and their work during the time of industrial unrest. Chapter 10: Solo once more 1930-1947: Nan's career advances. She meets Jack and marries. Discusses married life, breakup and harrowing aftermath. Circumstances bring her into the vicinity of Creswell and her eventual future life. Two significant government initiatives would affect her life, the 1947 Coal Industry Nationalisation Act and 1948 National Health Service Act Chapter 11: Taking off the L- plates 1948-1950: Nan moves to Creswell. The village has developed. Discusses effects of World War II. Llife as district midwife, developments in midwifery and care of mothers. Nan moves to work at colliery to be responsible for miners' health and welfare. Chapter 12: Dirt and Dust Mid-19th century - 1948: Describes the dangers to health faced by coal miners. Traces early safety interventions and the development of industrial nursing, particularly related to NCB. Chapter 13: Pit boots, Sutures and Foreign Bodies 1950-1967: Nan arrives at the colliery to work. Description of contemporary social life of a village community. Nan's work as a pit nurse with anecdotes about her work and retirement. Chapter 14: Fire! The events and some technical details about, and leading up to, the Creswell Colliery disaster, rescue attempts and the aftermath. Chapter 15: Wife and Sweetheart: Freda's Story - Case study 4 Freda was born into and lived in the Creswell mining community all her life. Her husband is killed in the 1950 disaster. Reintroduces Meg, now elderly. Chapter 16: 1984, Beginning of the end: The strike to end all strikes Events to 1984-85 miners' strike: The strike, including the main protagonists, police behaviour and conclusion. Chapter 17: Aftermath Nan views from afar the chaos which is tearing 'her' community apart Chapter 18: Annette's Memoir of 1984 - Case Study 5 Annette narrates the year of the strike and how, in particular, it affected her and her family. Chapter 19: We are women, we are strong The role and work of miners' wives in supporting the strike. Chapter 20: Extinguishing the Spark -The end of coal? 1987 onwards: Deals with the end of the coal mining industry in Britain and the effect on coal communities. Chapter 21: Last Look - Epilogue Present day: Now retired, Davey Thomas, Freda's son and Meg's grandson returns to Creswell for a visit after a 30-year absence working overseas. Describes his impression and memories of the village. Talks of Meg and Freda's death - the end of both miners' wives' lives.