Ayrshire miners' selfless support

DAY THREE-On the road Cumnock WE WENT deep into mining territory today and tonight we sleep in Cumnock town hall at the centre of. the Ayrshire coalfield.

Predictably we got selfless support and solidarity from the striking miners.

The first boost came as we approached the little village of Malichling (pronounced Motling by the English). Just when the morning was beginning to drag, a white Hillman stopped on the road. It was the from the Barrony colliery.

They in to share their soup in the Malichling community cer with the miners we were the first to use the centre that had been opened at 11 a.m. That very morning.

David Gregory, miner from the Barrony, and an Ayrshire Labour councillor, paid tribute to.We have taken deputation down to London all the Scottish But it made no ritterence torinatal Heath. H your objective and this governmen He told me employmer a key issue in the miners' strike.

"The mining industry itself proves that. Mining is usually carried on in high areas of can't get job and wages and he decent unemo ovanent. would like no jobs. we still take home a pittance day.

march is our •stmke political the sense that the trying to tie us down with their waget the same time the bour ment is forcing even Labour authorities up the rents and cent. would ernment is no longer a democracy they are trying to rule by the methods of fascism—I say that with all my knowledge as a Labour councillor.

Michael Miere miner tro Sorn pit and manager the community centre, also backed the march.

"It's disgraceful that youth today should have to protest for such a basic right. I have a son, he'll be out of school in two Years but what future is there him under a Tory regime like this? Good luck to the march. I hope it achieves its objective.' We moved into Cumnock just as the sun was setting behind the Barrony pit and power station.

Cumnock is the centre of the Ayrshire field and the home of Independent 'Hardie, Labour Party. His Keir founder of the bust stands outside the municipal building.

Unfortunately the nightly meeting had to be postponed for a few hours while the local dog club exercised their pets around the town hall.

We pleaded, but the Labour council was adamant-pets hirst, unemployment meeting second. If stone could weep I'm sure that there would have been tears on Hardie's granite cheeks.

Despite the set-back the meeting was held to a packed town hall. Miners and youth all spoke about their determination to get rid of the government. MINERS.