Migration Museum reopens to tell the stories of those who came to the UK and those who left

Britain’s only museum of migration reopens on Saturday 9 April at premises in the heart of Lewisham shopping centre. Set up to explore how the movement of people both to and from Britain down the ages has shaped individuals, communities and the nation as a whole, the Migration Museum stages exhibitions and events, and has an education programme for primary, secondary, university and adult learners. … Continue reading Migration Museum reopens to tell the stories of those who came to the UK and those who left

EditorMCApril 4, 2022April 4, 2022

Labour history news

Unveiled: statues for the twenty-first century

Professor Angela V. John introduces the Monumental Welsh Women project to commemorate five ‘hidden heroines’ chosen by popular vote Statues make statements. They become symbolic, not only for the time when they are erected but also for the future. The toppling of the statue of slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol in 2020 and the publicity this generated speaks about current anger and attitudes and … Continue reading Unveiled: statues for the twenty-first century

EditorMCMarch 4, 2022March 6, 2022

Labour history news

Against the tide, against the war: conscientious objection in South London, 1914-1918

John Taylor draws on the research behind his two books on conscientious objection in the London borough of Southwark to tell the story of the men and women who resisted the first world war Continue reading Against the tide, against the war: conscientious objection in South London, 1914-1918

EditorMCFebruary 12, 2022February 12, 2022

Events, Labour history news

WCML free talks programme kicks off for Spring 2022

The Working Class Movement Library’s new series of Invisible Histories free talks starts up again on Wednesday 9 February at the later than usual time of 3pm, when Kirstie Blair and Iona Craig from the Piston, Pen & Press project will give a free online only talk on the topic ‘Industrial workers and reading spaces in Manchester, Salford and the North’. This first talk in … Continue reading WCML free talks programme kicks off for Spring 2022

EditorMCFebruary 7, 2022

Labour history news

A ‘vicious class antagonism’ at the heart of the Titanic disaster: the dockers’ union’s response

The sinking of the RMS Titanic in the early hours of 15 April 1912 was a shocking and traumatic event, felt particularly deeply in Belfast where the ship had been built and in Southampton which had been the home port for many of its crew. As news emerged that at least 1,500 people had died, there was a sense of anger throughout the country at … Continue reading A ‘vicious class antagonism’ at the heart of the Titanic disaster: the dockers’ union’s response

EditorMCFebruary 4, 2022

Documents & objects, Labour history news

Steam power: boilermakers mark 100 years of trade unionism, 1834-1934

A small green booklet published as a souvenir of the United Society of Boilermakers’ centenary celebrations shows members’ pride in their union’s achievements By 1934, the United Society of Boilermakers and Iron and Steel Shipbuilders was able to trace its history back a full hundred years, to the birth at a meeting in Manchester of the Friendly Society of Boilermakers. Although the new organisation had … Continue reading Steam power: boilermakers mark 100 years of trade unionism, 1834-1934

EditorMCJanuary 27, 2022

Labour history news

A fresh look for Irish labour history

Dr Mike Mecham introduces the new-look website of the Irish Labour History Society The Irish Labour History Society has rebuilt and relaunched its website, offering free access to biographies and articles on labour history, information on labour history resources, and a collection of book reviews published by the society’s journal Saothar in 2021. The website consists of seven categories: Society: information about the society, membership, … Continue reading A fresh look for Irish labour history

EditorMCJanuary 25, 2022

Labour history news

Will yo’ come o’ Sunday mornin’? Winter Hill and the 1896 fight to access the moors

Britain’s biggest-ever rights of way dispute took place outside Bolton 125 years ago. Martin Challender tells the story of the Winter Hill mass trespass, and of plans to commemorate it with a specially commissioned signpost. Continue reading Will yo’ come o’ Sunday mornin’? Winter Hill and the 1896 fight to access the moors

EditorMCJanuary 21, 2022January 21, 2022

Events, Labour history news

Great Lives: spotlight on Lady Rhondda

BBC Radio 4 turned its attentions to the suffragette and pioneering journalist Lady Rhondda, as former President of the Supreme Court Baroness Hale got the opportunity to nominate a new member of the programme’s pantheon. Professor Angela V John, a Vice-President of the Society for the Study of Labour History and President of Llafur, provided expert testimony and commentary on the life of Lady Rhondda … Continue reading Great Lives: spotlight on Lady Rhondda

EditorMCJanuary 6, 2022January 14, 2022

Labour history news

Seven labour history anniversaries in 2022

In 2022, as every year, it is possible to look back and see significant milestones in labour history taking place 25, 50 or 100 years ago. Here we recall seven memorable events, each a quarter of a century further back in time. They include labour movement victories and defeats, and like all of history their interpretation and significance continue to be contested – the role … Continue reading Seven labour history anniversaries in 2022

EditorMCJanuary 1, 2022July 29, 2025