Sorry to hear. I’m sure there are many similar stories.  Just wondering, as I don’t live in South Wales, is the general view from local steelworkers and guys from around the pits nowadays that the Unions in the 80s were the Spawn of Satan and Thatcher’s policies were not particularly relevant? Because I’m not sure these guys would quite share that narrative:

http://www.welshcoalmines.co.uk/forum/read.php?14,51427,page=1

Post from that thread "Paul-Neath, just back from the pub"  Posted at around 4.30pm - that says a lot, doesn't it?

In answer to your question, Book I can honestly say I don't know, as I don't live there any more. Once we lost our home we moved to another country. Now I'm back in the UK, but not in S Wales. I visit from time to time, and things tere have picked up in general. I would be very interested to hear what people think now. In the days of those strikes I worked for the DHSS and can remember big, grown men at the door in tears begging for help. They may now remember that differently. Who knows?