Goldthorpe hosts anti-Margaret Thatcher funeral
- Published
![Homemade effigy of Margaret Thatcher and banners in Goldthorpe](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/976/mcs/media/images/67057000/jpg/_67057203_thatchergoldthorpe2(andykershawtwitter).jpg)
The former mining community of Goldthorpe in South Yorkshire is holding a "fake funeral" for former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Bunting was placed outside the Union Jack Memorial Club along with banners and a homemade effigy.
![Floral 'tribute' to Margaret Thatcher referring to the Miners' Strike](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/976/mcs/media/images/67054000/jpg/_67054959_thatchergoldthorpe2(jamesvincenttwitter).jpg)
The area was badly affected following the 1984 Miners' Strike and the subsequent closure of the pits. The florist who made this wreath was approached anonymously.
![Anti-Margaret Thatcher on the side of The Rusty Dudley](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/976/mcs/media/images/67054000/jpg/_67054957_thatchergoldthorpe1(jamesvincenttwitter).jpg)
A homemade banner decrying Baroness Thatcher was strung from the side of The Rusty Dudley.
![Heather Hopwood, landlady of The Rusty Dudley, dressed as a miner](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/412/mcs/media/images/67056000/jpg/_67056310_thatchergoldthorpe3(andykershawtwitter).jpg)
Heather Hopwood, landlady of the Rusty Dudley, dressed as a miner for the day.
![Anti-Margaret Thatcher messages written on a placard and a sheet](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/976/mcs/media/images/67054000/jpg/_67054963_thatchergoldthorpe3(jamesvincenttwitter).jpg)
Wooden placards and huge sheets have been used to display messages. Several hundred people are expected to attend the fake funeral in the village.
![Effigy of Margaret Thatcher](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/412/mcs/media/images/67061000/jpg/_67061889_thatchergoldthorpe5(jamesvincenttwitter).jpg)
An open coffin containing an effigy of the former Tory leader was paraded through Goldthorpe at the start of the mock funeral.
![National Union of Mineworkers banner](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/976/mcs/media/images/67062000/jpg/_67062549_thatchergoldthorpe6(jamesvincenttwitter).jpg)
The parade through Goldthorpe was led by revellers carrying a National Union of Mineworkers banner.
![A man dressed as a devil](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/412/mcs/media/images/67062000/jpg/_67062626_thatchergoldthorpe5(andykershawtwitter).jpg)
A man at the anti-Margaret Thatcher march dresses as a devil to show his feelings towards the former PM.
![Crowds gather around bonfire](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/412/mcs/media/images/67062000/jpg/_67062903_thatchergoldthorpe9(jamesvincenttwitter).jpg)
Hundreds of people gather to see an effigy of Margaret Thatcher set alight on waste ground in Goldthorpe
![Margaret Thatcher effigy set alight](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/412/mcs/media/images/67066000/jpg/_67066043_thatchergoldthorpe10(jamesvincenttwitter).jpg)
People celebrate as the pyre beneath the effigy of Britain's first female prime minister goes up in flames
- Published9 May 2013
- Published17 April 2013