The Battle of Orgreave

Apart from being covered in “Coal Not Dole” stickers at the end of the battle by re-enactor friends, Event Director Howard Giles emerged unscathed from the day’s excitement, extremely pleased with the outcome. His radio earpiece - a crucial element in the successful control of the battle with over 20 radios issued to key commanders - remained firmly in place until it was safe to relax at the end of the day.

Conceptual artist Jeremy Deller is walking in the background (in green). We were delighted to have turned Jeremy's idea into reality, via innovative arts company Artangel Media in London.

800 re-enactors and local people took part in the re-enactment in June 2001, which  recreated the climactic clash between Arthur Scargill's NUM and a large force of Police outside the British Steel coking plant at Orgreave, South Yorkshire, on 18 June 1984.

Mike Figgis'  film about the re-enactment and the original confrontation was premiered in the west end in 2001, screened on Channel 4 in October 2002 (since repeated) and shown around the world as part of film festivals.

Photo © Dick Clark.