Local Labour party members and supporters came together to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1984/85 miners’ strike yesterday.

The commemorative event was held at the Loch Centre in Tranent. It was addressed by Fiona O’Donnell MP, Iain Gray MSP and local strike leader and former Labour councillor David Costello.
 
Following their contributions, several others, including former Tranent councillor Bishop Shepherd, spoke of their own experience of the dispute and the impact it had on Tranent and the surrounding villages.

Speaking after the event, Branch Chair Robert McNeill said:
 
“The 1984/85 miners’ strike had a major and long-lasting impact on the local men who were involved and the families and communities who gave them such fulsome support. Because of that great impact, we felt that it was important to mark the 30th anniversary of the dispute here in Tranent.
 
“This event, along with the accompanying exhibition, was an appropriate way to do that, and I want to thank Fiona, Iain and Davie and everyone who attended the event and shared some of their experiences of the dispute.

“It was moving to hear the contributions of some of those who played a key role in the strike locally. It was also useful to hear from Iain and Fiona about the work they and Labour parliamentary colleagues are doing to pursue justice for the men who were wrongly arrested or convicted during the dispute. It is essential that the fight for justice continues no matter how many years pass.”