14/01/1981
News and views from across the United Kingdom, including a report that the miners' animal companions, the pony and the canary are to be phased out.
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Did You Know?
Ponies were originally introduced to replace women and children in the arduous and backbreaking task of hauling coal and machinery from surface to coalface. The ponies were usually stabled at the base of the shaft and only saw daylight during the colliery's annual holiday.
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Despite these harsh conditions there were strict regulations governing the treatment of the animals and a close bond often developed between man and horse where a driver typically worked with the same animal for the duration of its working life.
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Broadcast
- Wed 14 Jan 1981 17:55
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Coal Mining in Britain
The story of mining, from the coal face to the strike.
Coal Mining in Britain Collection
Clips from this programme are available as part of the Coal Mining in Britain Collection