‘Thatcher vs Miners’ university event cancelled after outcry

A Durham University rugby club has been condemned for organising a social event themed around the 1984 miners' strike.

A group of students associated with Trevelyan College Rugby Club told attendees to come dressed as miners or members of Margaret Thatcher's government.

“Think pickaxes. Think headlamps. Think 12% unemployment in 1984,” the Facebook event read.

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Members of the team were told the dress code included “flat caps, filth and a general disregard for personal safety" and to expect "a confrontation higher than the Battle of Orgreave”.

Others were instructed “to elect one member to come as the Iron Lady herself. We want variety too, so a few working-class-beating-bobbys wouldn't go amiss”.

John Adams, the son of a local miner, told The Tab that the event was “disgusting and deeply offensive to the mining community that they can just go on the drink and make a mockery of it”.

The university swiftly issued a statement condemning the event as “wholly unacceptable”.

“The event has been cancelled by the students concerned,” said pro-vice chancellor Owen Adams. “We are speaking to those students and we are considering what further action to take in due course.”