The Media Archive for Central England is the public screen archive for the East and West Midlands. An independent charity and company based at the University of Lincoln, MACE acquires, catalogues, preserves and makes widely available moving image materials that inform our understanding of the diverse cultures and histories of communities between the Lincolnshire coast and the Welsh border.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Power Crisis
Questions of loyalty on the doorstep as the residents of Huntington in Staffordshire are asked if they support the miners or Government.
From the collection of:
Overview
In January 1974 a coal miners' overtime ban was in place prompting the Government to call for commercial users to restrict their electricity consumption to three days a week. Domestic users were asked to cut back too. Bob Warman reports from the pit village of Huntington where, with Littleton Colliery on their doorstep, the miners' wives are typically loyal to the cause although many are conflicted as they are also complying with the Government's request.
The miners' overtime ban led to a full strike following a ballot on 31 January. The Conservative Prime Minister Edward Heath called a General Election the following month. When he did not achieve a majority it was down to Labour under Harold Wilson to negotiate the end of the strike in March. The miners settled for a thirty-five percent pay rise.
Related
Watch for free
Miners Retirement Miners Retirement
News 1977 13 mins Location: Cannock Chase
As the Cannock Chase office of the NUM fills up with the walking wounded from the pit face what future can there be for such a high risk industry?
Watch for free
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.
Watch for free
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
Watch for free
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.