WALKING down Clipstone High Street, the remnants of the mining industry still dominate the skyline, telling visitors this was once a thriving industrial village.
The pit headstocks, although now decrepit and ringed by a wire fence stating 'no entry', still stand proudly at the entrance to the town.
The surrounding fields still look like the text book setting for a mining town and many residents still remember the days when Clipstone pit was a hive of activity.
They also remember the Miners' Strike of 1984-5 like it was yesterday.
Michael Farn, 52, of Clipstone, was having a pint in the Top Club pub in the village.
The ex-miner and ex-soldier said he wouldn't be mourning the death of Margaret Thatcher, who many claim brought the mining industry to ruin.
He said: "I'm an ex-miner and I worked at pits all around this area when I was younger, at Ollerton, Thoresby, Clipstone and Bevercotes.
"Thatcher devastated the mining community. What she did was absolute sacrilege.
"I hate the woman with a vengeance and there are a lot of people around here who would say a lot worse.
"I come from a family where all of us were miners and it was very hard work under Thatcher. I remember always feeling hungry.
"I know that sounds silly in this day and age, but that was the truth of it. It was horrific being a miner under Thatcher and what she did was evil."
His friend Ben Haywood, 36, was also having a pint at the Top Club and he shared Mr Farn's views.
"Thatcher was evil. I have waited for this day, for her to die, for a long time. She decimated this community and a lot of communities around here.
"My dad was a miner and I remember a lot of hard times growing up. I remember arguments and not enough money. My dad decided to go back to work and others didn't, and that caused massive tensions," he said.
The strike was the most controversial period during Thatcher's 11 years in power.
At the time the National Coal Board wanted to close a large number of pits because they were uneconomical.
At the industry's height, there had been 40,000 miners working in Notts. Now only Thoresby Colliery in Edwinstowe remains.
However Mr Farn and Mr Haywood's friend, who was also having a drink with them yesterday in Clipstone, had a very different take on the Iron Lady.
The 57-year-old, who wanted to be referred to only as Tony, said: "I fought in the Falklands war and I supported Margaret Thatcher. As a person she had a lot of stamina. She was voted into office three times.
"I do not speak ill of the living so I'm not going to speak ill of the dead."
On Monday we launched an online poll on thisisnottingham.co.uk, asking readers whether they thought Margaret Thatcher was a hero or a villain.
As of 5pm last night, 1,277 people had voted, with two thirds saying Thatcher was a villain.
