n By Keith Hatch


Another letter told of an incident where a member, “saw a motor pass through labelled ‘food supply’.


When stopped and examined no food was found, but only fish boxes full of coal. The other side, which does this sort of thing, tells the miners to be straight, and blames the men for being loyal to their Union!” W Jefferson, Houghton-le- Spring, Durham.


After the strike ended agricultural workers became even more active, as miners were locked out for months, with many families facing hunger, after negotiations broke down.


It highlighted statements being made that could not be checked and that “the claim of the BBC to be wholly impartial was perforce abandoned because the government had taken control and sent out what it pleased.”


Instead, the union encouraged workers to get their news from the British Worker or the Daily Herald.


Keeping members informed was much appreciated, with branch secretaries writing in to express gratitude, and the June 1926 Landworker printing extracts from the letters:


“I received your papers and was pleased to get news as we get no other papers now. It is a shame not to let the public know the truth, but I hope the miners will stick it. I glory in their pluck. If agricultural workers would only hang together, what a difference it would make to us that are firm and true.” F Saunders, Astwood, Bucks.


“I am sorry that we cannot help the miners by coming out. If all land workers in the country were in the Union and they all came out, that would settle it, because we should all have the whole country then demanding a living wage.” J Raily, Helpringham, Norfolk.


The lead article in August 1926 from RB Walker, general secretary, entitled, Are we Doing Enough for the Miners? linked the miners' continued struggle with that of all workers.


“Once the miners are brought down what will be left of the arguments by which other trades defend their wage rates?” Walker said, then calling on branches and members to help the miners and increase donations if possible, adding that “I am proud that farm workers have done well, but we must do still more.”


A report later highlighted collections made by union branches and head office staff that raised £600, this was on top of £1,000 granted by the union executive.


This support was evident by the front- page photograph entitled ‘Feeding the miners’ children.’ It featured a large group of children sitting around an outside table eating, with the caption. ‘The money which farm workers are giving so generously is spent on food. Without it the kiddies would starve.’


Support wasn’t just financial, and one news article said “Mrs Carnie Holdsworth, the writer of our serial, suggests that young cockerels, too small for market, should not be destroyed but sent in batches, alive,


FIND OUT MORE


If you are interested in exploring Landworker back issues visit Warwick University archives at mrc-catalogue.warwick.ac.uk/records/AAW/4/1/1


29 uniteLANDWORKER Summer 2026


‘Thanks to the Land’s Men’ – AJ Cook, miners’ leader


to the nearest Miners’ Relief Committee for feeding the children.”


This level of support continued through 1926, and into the following year. The February 1927 front page was written by AJ Cook, Secretary, The Miners Federation of Great Britain.


In Thanks to the Land’s Men, he thanks the “brave heroes and heroines of the land!” saying, “The miners will never forget that when we were fighting our greatest battle neither the rank and file of your Union, nor your leaders, forgot us. How you collected out of your scanty wages, week by week, to help feed our women and children; how you took care of our choirs – what memories our boys will ever remember and cherish.”


He then goes on to wish success to the union and “may your journal grow in influence with every issue.”


‘‘


The miners will never forget that when we were fighting our greatest battle neither the rank and file of your Union, nor your leaders, forgot us


AJ Cook, Secretary, The Miners’ Federation of Great Britain


‘‘


All photos: Alamy


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52