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The item starts with views of a coal field and village in the North East (Durham?) accompanied by a folk song about leaving the area: "I'm going to Nottingham because good prospects are my goal." We then see a montage of mining shots with a voice over explaining that following the first year of surplus in coal production in Britain (1957) the National Coal Board developed a policy of closing some of the older mines (often in the North East) and encouraging miners to move to the more modern coal fields (particularly the East Midlands). Reporter John Slater visits Bilsthorpe in Nottinghamshire where we see both the town and the exterior of the pit. He interviews Mr Payton (NUM branch secretary) in his home; Mr Hooley (?) the former manager of the pit; and Jack Hallam who is running first aid classes for miners. He also conducts vox pops with miners who have moved from Durham. Some are not happy with the situation and have failed to make friends with the locals in Nottinghamshire. It is suggested that the NCB's welfare facilities may hold the key to integrating the newcomers and we see shots of activities at the Bilsthorpe youth club and the miners welfare where bingo and a choral recital are shown taking place.
No credits specified
Bilsthorpe Colliery closed in 1995.