For 12 months, communities were brought to a standstill for a whole year as thousands of miners came out on strike to try to prevent Margaret Thatcher’s government closing collieries.
Easington was one of the places that was at the forefront of the struggle with mass demonstrations, pickets and clashes with police.
Whole families were affected and local women ran soup kitchens while food parcels from friends overseas were a much-needed source of support.
We have delved into our photographic archives to bring you this reminder of that turbulent time.
1. Pickets and police
Easington pickets and police during the strike in August 1984. Photo: Sunderland Echo file photo
2. Miners march
Miners were on the march at Easington Colliery in this picture from our archives that was taken in May 1984. Photo: SE
3. Food help
With no money coming in, families often had to rely on food parcels from supporters including those overseas. Food from France arrived at at Murton Colliery Welfare in December 1984. Photo: SE
4. Food from the Soviet Union Food
More food parcels were received by Seaham miners from sympathetic friends in Russia during the strike in the mid-80s. Photo: SE