News and information of interest to labour historians.
he Working Class Movement Library offers an impressive and extensive series of talks, all of which are live-streamed and subsequently made available on its YouTube channel. Its autumn 2021 series of ‘Invisible Histories’ ranges from Thomas Spence to Jayaben Desai, and from the Social Democratic Federation to Militant Continue reading Great online events at the WCML for autumn 2021
This Sunday, 1 August, at 7pm, listeners to Radio 3 will be able to hear the noted Manchester actress Maxine Peake read The Masque of Anarchy in a performance that makes the poem resonate for a contemporary audience. Continue reading Maxine Peake and Jennifer Reid bring the culture shaped by Peterloo to life
Industrial action at the Celta Mill in 1928 resulted in the longest phase of strike action in Peterborough’s industrial history. However, the strike was important for other reasons too, writes Hazel Perry. Continue reading ‘A little judgement and ordinary human kindness’: the Peterborough Celta Mill strike, 1928
Two new articles report research into the backgrounds of the CPGB leadership in the 1920s using prosopography as an investigative tool. Continue reading A new investigation of the leaders of British Communism in the 1920s
The Society for the Study of Labour History is shocked to learn that History courses are set to close at a number of post-92 universities. As a Society, we stand with our members and colleagues who now face the threat of redundancies; and we look for a return to the educational principles and ethos that made the study of people’s history a realistic expectation for all. Continue reading SSLH statement: We fear for the future of labour history, labour historians and the next generation of students
Art and culture are inseparable from labour history, as a GFTU Educational Trust CD on the story of the River Thames from the Nore Mutiny to the Empire Windrush demonstrates, writes SSLH EC member Mike Sanders. Continue reading Celebrating labour history through the songs and music of the River Thames
An 18th century pub that played a central part in the story of Luddism in West Yorkshire faces demolition after plans to replace it with housing were submitted to the local council. The Shears Inn at Liversedge was host to regular gatherings of local croppers at the start of the 19th century, and in early 1812 was the venue for a meeting at which plans … Continue reading SSLH backs campaign to save Luddite pub from demolition
The General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) took part in an international conference initiated by the University of Bochum and the German trade union centre the DGB to explore how trade unions preserve and transmit labour history across the generations. This is the contribution given by Doug Nicholls, General Secretary of the GFTU. “You do not know where you are going to if you do … Continue reading Keeping our history alive: the work of the GFTU on history, memory and tradition.
The Durham Miners Hall is a unique and historically important building. But if it is to survive, it needs financial support, as Dave Anderson, Ambassador for the Redhills Appeal and Chair of the Marras – the Friends of Durham Miners Gala, explains. Continue reading Building a future for the Durham Miners Hall and the Pitman’s Parliament
The Society for the Study of Labour History is adding its voice to calls for “fair funding” for the National Library of Wales. The move comes as the Library, which is home to many of the historic, artistic and intellectual treasures of Wales, and to important labour history collections, faces budget cuts which threaten 30 jobs, in addition to 100 already lost over the past … Continue reading SSLH backs fair funding call for National Library of Wales
