1984- 2004 THE GREAT MINERS STRIKE  - They paid the price to save communities  whilst Thatcher sent in the London Police when Welshmen refused to fight Welshmen. Now, many are pensioners and still suffer under England's cruelty. Re-posted: 8th July 2004  WELSH communities are especially vulnerable to problems of loneliness and neglect associated with the elderly, according to volunteer workers. Their survey reveals alarming levels of depression among older people who live on less than £90 per week, despite fighting in World War Two against the Facist German Reich, losing friends and loved ones. The research by the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) shows that isolated older people see fewer people each day than their younger counterparts and notes that 20% of all suicides in the UK involve pensioners. And Sharon Sinclair, who runs the Meals on Wheels service and luncheon clubs across North Wales, believes that the problem is worsened by the high numbers of older people in certain Welsh communities. "If you look at certain towns on the coast, they are full of older people who have retired there from elsewhere," she said. "This is not a racist thing or about incomers - indeed, when they first arrive, perhaps with a spouse too, they can be active and happy. "But as they get older and maybe lose their partner, they are increasingly isolated from their families." This trend is also seen in more traditional rural Welsh villages, but for different reasons, said Ms Sinclair, who has been working with the WRVS for 11 years. "There, the youngsters have to leave to find work, leaving something like a ghost town, at least during the daytime." It is a problem experienced by John Roberts, 78, from Mochdre near Colwyn Bay. He used to volunteer as a driver for Meals on Wheels in his younger days; now he receives the service and said it is a lifeline for older people. "You get to know folk and have a chat," he said. "It does help having a hot meal at dinner time each day." "I still go out a bit but it gets more difficult and lots of old people would be absolutely lost without this service." Old people who cannot leave their homes are vulnerable and do not have much social contact. The WRVS survey found that 72% of older people saw a maximum of two people a day, whereas those under 35 often saw more than 20 a day. Every year, 12,000 old people die alone and undiscovered in Britain - the equivalent of 32 lonely deaths each day. The trend can be reversed through a more neighbourly approach to society, added Ms Sinclair. "Lots of old people, especially men, have had tough lives and have done tough jobs - they do not want to admit they cannot cope," she said. "But just checking they are OK really helps. If you want to do voluntary work, where you really notice a difference first hand, then I would recommend getting involved." Mark Lever, chief executive of the WRVS, also stressed the point: "No matter who you are, a visit to older family members or neighbours can make a real difference." Our Republican Pledge: In the Republic of Cymru, there will Freedom, Justice & Prosperity for Our Elderly (U.K.) Pensioners Convention