Coalfield Welfare in East Lothian, 1945-2000

Ian JS McAlpine, Operations Manager (Scotland), CISWO

Imagine if you will, the annual fete and gala with the miners' pipe and brass bands playing to an excited crowd, children's sports and one of the big features of any miners' gala day had to be the competitions. Competitions for horticultural produce, dog shows, rabbit shows, whippet races, bird shows and even baby shows. There were children's sports and adult sports but one of the biggest attractions would always be the competition for the best-kept pit pony. For just two weeks a year these hard working animals came out of the pit and were sometimes grazed on the Miners' Welfare playing fields.