Audio Description

Alyssa’s Selby Connection

Alyssa’s grandparents relocated to Selby for the mines.

Alyssa’s Selby Story

It was never easy being a miner, especially during the reign of Ms. Maggie Thatcher. My grandparents experienced this struggle first-hand with my grandfather being a sparky – an electrician for the trains if you will.

Just after my mum’s youngest sister was born, the pit that my grandad worked at was closed and flooded by order of the prime minister herself.

Whilst struggling for food and money they heard a rumour of a little town and that if you uprooted and took your family there, you would have a job in the nearby pit for life.

Unfortunately, they’re called rumours for a reason. Selby wasn’t as accepting as they had hoped. And to add insult to injury, the pit was closed a few years after they moved. 

Fortunately, my mum eventually met someone who didn’t care that her dad used to work in a pit.

And fast-forward to now, I’m here 🙂

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