One thing that many ex-miners and their families remember is the strength of community in the coalfields. Some workers lived in poor quality, back-to-back housing. Other collieries had purpose-built housing estates with gardens, allotments, inside plumbing and recreation grounds. It was thought that better housing led to more contented workers who would then work harder. It also created close knit communities with similar values and traditions who supported each other through the ups and downs of the mining industry.