Firefighters are getting behind efforts to raise money to create a new film about the Miners’ Strike.
Fire Brigades Union general secretary, Matt Wrack, pledged his union’s support for ‘Still the Enemy Within’ at a special fundraising launch event at Somerset House on Tuesday evening.
Wrack, said: “This film will be a vital part of educating new firefighters on the role of the union and on wider working-class history.
“We face similar attacks today as the miners faced in 1984 and I am proud the FBU is supporting this film.
“We will do everything to make sure it reaches its target”.
First-time feature director Owen Gower hopes to tell the story of the strike through the voices of Arthur’s Army — a group of miners who for a year put themselves on the frontline of every major battle to defend their jobs and their communities.
The FBU co-hosted the event alongside the Communication Workers Union and Dartmouth Films.
Other union supporters include the National Union of Teachers as well as seven branches of the RMT and members of Unison.
Guests included veteran film maker Ken Loach, Chair of the Durham Miners Association, David Hopper, and solicitors Gareth Peirce and Matt Foot.
FBU Wandsworth branch secretary, Linda Smith, said: “The clips of the film we have seen this evening are fantastic and the film is getting a donation from me immediately.
“I can’t wait to see the final product next year.”
Union branches and others can support the film by visiting www.sponsume.com/project/still-enemy-within or www.the-enemy-within.org.uk/support.
