Last Women of the Durham coalfield, Hannah’s Grand-daughter
The Second World War took its toll on every part of society. The appeal for women to work outside the home in the many ammunition factories supporting the war effort was taken up by many women throughout the colliery villages. They worked for eight hours a day at the factory, taking up their caregiving and home-making roles when they returned home. Their days continued to be longer and more strenuous.
After the war, the government introduced a series of initiatives intended to improve the lives of the nation. A reformed education system was introduced in 1944, nationalisation in 1947 and a national health service in 1948. At last things were looking up for coal-mining families.
At the edge of this bright new horizon, little did Hannah’s female descendants realise that they would come to represent the last generation of women of the Durham coalfield.
The foreword is by Hillary Clinton, who said she hoped Mrs Hedley’s books would inspire historians to document the daily lives “not just of men… but of the women living quieter but just as important lives alongside them”. – the full article can be found at BBC News
Last Women of the Durham Coalfield – Hannah’s grand-daughter is available from local stockists and amazon.co.uk