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Inscribed walking stick presented to Mr. William Seaton by Conservative coal miners of Pontypridd following the 1898 Welsh Coal Strike. Black wood stick with bone/ivory handle, with hallmarked (Birmingham 1898) silver inscribed plaque.

The Welsh coal strike of 1898 and Mr. Seaton’s walking stick

The strike began as an attempt by the colliers to remove the sliding scale, which determined their wage based on the price of coal. The strike quickly turned into a disastrous lockout which would last for six months and resulted in defeat for the Welsh colliers as the sliding scale stayed in place. This strike is seen as an important landmark in the history of Wales as it saw the true adoption of trade unionism in the south Wales coalfield which had been slow to take hold before then. The South Wales Miners' Federation originated from this dispute.

It appears that Mr. William Seaton, a staunch Conservative, helped fellow Conservative miners who were locked out of work during the strike. The condemnation of Mr. DA Thomas, Liberal MP and owner of the Cambrian Collieries, comes from Thomas’s refusal to take the side of the other coal-owners during the strike.

“At a meeting of the members of the Pontypridd Conservative Club on Tuesday evening, over which Mr. Valiant, M.E., presided, the colliery workmen who are members of the club presented an ebony walking-stick, silver- mounted. Bearing a suitable inscription, to Mr. William Seaton. builder, in recognition of the help he gave to the miners during the recent coal strike. Owing to illness. Mr. Seaton was unable to attend, and the presentation was accepted by Mr. Arthur Seaton, on behalf of his father.”

Western Mail, 23 February 1899

“An Echo of the Strike, - On Saturday night at the County Hotel Mr. W. Seaton, contractor, Pontypridd, entertained to dinner about 40 miners who are members of the Conservative Club, and who a few months ago made a presentation to him in recognition of the practical sympathy which he showed to families of many miners in the district during the strike. The chair was occupied by Mr. Wilson, chairman of the Conservative Club. Mr. Seaton’s health was drunk with enthusiasm and musical honours, and, in replying, he remarked that the strike was a great mistake, and he severely condemned Mr. DA Thomas, MP in connection with it.”

South Wales Daily News, 15th May 1899

“DEATH OF MR. WILLIAM SEATON PONTYPRIDD

A well-known and highly respectable local public man passed away at an early hour this morning in the person of Mr. W. Seaton, builder and contractor, Jacobstown (probably miss print for Jacbsdal), Pontypridd, who had been ill for a long time. He did much to improve the town of Pontypridd by his extensive building operations, and for many years he took a leading part in municipal matters. He was a prominent member of the East Glamorgan Conservative Association.”

Evening Express, 27 October 1902

“DEATH OF MR SEATON, PONTYPRIDD

The death took place on Monday, after a lingering illness, of Mr. W. Seaton, builder and contractor, Pontypridd, who was one of the best known men in the town. He settled in Pontypridd about 35 years ago as a foreman-fixer on the London and Provincial Bank buildings. In course of time he commenced business on his own account, and his enterprise and perseverance resulted in his founding a flourishing business which has for some time been carried on by his son, councilor Arthur Seaton. For some years the deceased gentleman occupied a seat on the old Local Board and subsequently on the District Council, of which he was a useful member. He was characteristically blunt and expressed his views in plain, forcible language, but was widely respected. He leaves a widow and eight or nine children, amongst them being Councilor Arthur Seaton, Mr. George Seaton, solicitor (who served in the South African War), Mr. Alex Seaton (builder), and Mr. J. Seaton (ironmonger)). During the recent was the deceased gentleman built a fine villa on Graigwen, which is known as Jacobsdal. Mr. Seaton was a strong Conservative.”

The Cardiff Times, 1st November 1902