84/85 – The Longest Year

84/85 – The Longest Year is a yearlong exhibition and programme of events, held at National Coal Mining Museum for England. Opening on 6 March 2024, it marks the 40^th anniversary of the Miners’ Strike.

This exhibition considers the strike through memories and stories of miners and their families. Uniquely positioned at a former working colliery, the Museum addresses the broader picture of the strike and gives a voice to those who experienced it.

Shaped by the memories and objects shared through a public call-out and our existing collection, the exhibition looks at three different points of view:

• Those who stayed out on strike for the whole year
• Those who returned to work early
• Those who did not strike

Upcoming events

Throughout the year dig deeper into key experiences and elements of the strike with workshops, performances, film screenings, discussions and more.

9 November: Poetry Anthology Launch

1 December: Toy Swap

Share your memories of 84/85

We are looking for people to share their memories of the strike, whether this is as a mineworker, relative of a miner or someone who lived within the mining communities during 1984/85. To find out more, and to submit your memories, volunteer to be interviewed or donate an object, click here.