Back in the days of Margaret Thatcher

The funeral of Margaret Thatcher has been an occasion to recall many of the events in the 1980s.

At the time I was teaching at the Dominican school in Newbridge.

During the miners strike it became part of the routine of some of us in the community to watch the UTV lunchtime news immediately after lunch. A ten minute break between lunch and returning to the classroom.

There were three of us, the late John O'Gorman, Canice Murphy and I.

Most days Arthur Scargill would be seen rallying his troops during that long harsh strike.

Some in the community saw Scargill as a dangerous man, others were greatly impressed with the young articulate miner.

In those days the FTSE hit the 800 mark.

John is dead and Canice has retired from the classroom. Two talented teachers.