h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: The Battle of Orgreave - Monday 18 June, 1984 - A9361334
Author: Pinniped - U183682


Bear with the style. Sometimes, to understand things, you have to be there.

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Thank you. I enjoyed reading this, despite the unusual style. The only suggestion/question I would have is to wonder if organizing the account with GuideML headers and subheaders might make it an easier read?

Thanks, Phred. I wondered that too.

I tried it this way for a few reasons. One was to retain the sense of a reported narrative, and another was so that the factual history (in plain type) could correspond to the account of the events of the day (in italics).
I tried it as a straight piece, but the story really asks for a journalistic treatment.

Let's see what others say, yeah?

Unusual style, but I liked it.

One quibble... towards the end of the article, the factual history bit moves on to talk about the aftermath, with the strike being broken etc which seems to occur over months/years, but the narrative is still focused on the day of Battle of Orgreave itself.

It may just be me, but I found the "jumping" between styles distracting at that point, instead of a nice counterpoint as it had been up to then.

Good crit, Rockhound.
You're dead right.
I played around with this for ages, trying to keep the two voices right in phase, but I got frustrated and decided to settle for it this way.
I had a nasty feeling it was a cop-out, but I wasn't sure whether I was being too picky. It's hard to see these things as a fresh reader does after a while.
So I told myself that if anyone else pointed out what I already felt was weak about it, I'd pull it for a while, work at it, and put it back when ready.
So thanks. Bye for now. Back when it's sorted.

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Hi there

Excellent article. Like another of your readers, I think the info on the strike as a whole should be placed chronologically in respect to the battle, as that would make it easier to follow.

Any chance of a link or reference to my Orgreave article (and links) at www.historicalfilmservices.com/orgreave.htm? This would allow readers to explore the story more fully, including our re-enactment. I've linked to your article from our links page.

All the best

Howard Giles
Director, Battle of Orgreave re-enactment 2001

Hi Howard

Thanks for the comments, the link (which I've reciprocated as asked) and the ice-cream van confirmation. Waz, who I guess you know, is full of surprises.

It's a good job you didn't read this with its original timeline, which is what the comments above are about. The version you still found confusing is supposed to be the improved one! We'll see if it gets into h2g2's Edited Guide (being discussed in another thread).

Your site there is a great read, and moreover it tells the tale of what was clearly a painstaking and faithful enterprise. I'll admit to having had low expectations of authenticity in a film I've never seen. It's an omission I must now rectify.

It's also clear that you're more used to re-enacting battles of the military kind. A bit of presumption, but I wrote an account of one of those too : Towton. If you're interested, here it is - A5680271

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