Kent's Miners

Take a look round Circular Road

Peter Holden has lived in the village for the last 40 years. He talks about the history of Circular Road and he describes the scenes during the 1984 Miners' Strike.

Peter Holden during the Miners Strike

Why the miners came to Kent

Many of Kent's miners walked or cycled to the county from the north of England, Scotland and Wales. During the 1926 Miners' Strike, many pit workers were blacklisted and so couldn't return to work at their home collieries.

The promise of well paid jobs and good new housing in the new Kent coal field prompted many miners to make the long journey south, bringing their families with them. Snowdown pit, which originally had Welsh owners, attracted miners from the South Wales coalfield, whereas Betteshanger drew those from Yorkshire.

Circular Road, Betteshanger

Both villages reflected their residents' origins. Many of the villagers of Snowdown still have quite pronounced Welsh accents. The legacy of the Yorkshiremen in Betteshanger can be seen from the air.

The houses were built round a central circle, which was used as a greyhound and whippet track by the residents.

Betteshanger was a hive of activity during the strike, and the miners were amongst the most militant in the country. They were the last to return to work in 1985, but even so, the pit was closed in 1989.

The village continues to thrive, and the Betteshanger Social Club has changed from a venue for miners to meet after their long shifts, to a place that offers something for all members of the community. All that remains of the pit itself is a park containing the capped mine shafts, and lots of memories of course.