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Henry Richardson remained loyal to the working class
Despite the shock decision of many in his region not to support the great strike of 1984-1985, the Nottinghamshire miners' leader stayed true to his union, writes PETER LAZENBY
Henry Richardson arrives at the National Union of Mineworkers' executive meeting, February 1985

TRIBUTES have been paid to Henry Richardson, general secretary of the Nottinghamshire area of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) during the strike against pit closures of 1984-5.

Richardson was a tower of strength for the minority of Nottinghamshire miners who were loyal to their union during the strike.

Most of the Nottinghamshire coalfield — the second largest coalfield in Britain after Yorkshire — scabbed, betraying their fellow mineworkers whose jobs were under threat from pit closures.

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