91福利社

Ian McMillan explores the marginal and forgotten coalfields of England.

Most British pits closed long ago and memories are fading whilst away from the major coalfields many people don't even remember that coal was recently mined in Somerset, Kent, Shropshire, Cumbria and The Forest of Dean.

Are we doomed to forget our industrial past?

How do the ex-miners in the Garden of England remember it?

Ian is in Kent to chat to Mike Sole, Fred Thompson, Bill Gilham, Sam Robinson and Jim Davies.

With music from The Betteshanger Welfare Brass Band.

Producer: Tim Dee

First broadcast on 91福利社 Radio 4 in February 2006.