Being something of a news junkie these days I'm often surprised by the events I've lived through which never really registered with me at the time.

A couple of weeks ago I was reading about Kelvedon Hatch (ex Cold War secret nuclear bunker) and how, during the Miners Strike in '84, it was at a raised level of preparedness because the government feared the country might descend into civil war.

I was 8 years old at the time, all I remember about the miners strike are the news reports showing picket lines and having lots of candles under the stairs at home ready for powercuts.