On
16 January 2018, members of the Reading Trades Union Council joined Reading &
District Labour Party members and interested non-affiliates to support and
enjoy the GMB’s Eleanor Marx Day event, held at The Outlook, Kings Road, Reading.
The event was superbly compèred by Nikki Dancey, the GMB Regional Organiser.
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| Nikki Dancey (GMB & RTUC) welcomes guest and introduces the speaker |
Coinciding
with the 163rd birthday of Eleanor, the event celebrated the
political and industrial life of this co-founder (with Will Thorne) of the
National Union of Gas Workers and General Labourers (a forerunner of the GMB
union).
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| Dr Louise Raw on Eleanor Marx |
The event was originally intended to host two illustrious speakers: Louise Raw, the author of Striking a Light: The Bryant and May Matchwomen and their Place in History (2011), and Rachel Holmes, author of Eleanor Marx: A Life (2014) – but unfortunately due to illness Rachel was unable to attend. Such is Louise’s knowledge of Eleanor, however, she extended her talk to 90 minutes and entertained and educated the audience with only occasional reference to her notes. There then followed 30 minutes of questions and discussion, plus additional conversation in a convivial environment.
The
event was also a forum for leafleting, with topics such as saving the NHS,
defending local mental health services and opposing the Conservative Party
austerity agenda. Books relevant to Eleanor’s life and work were also available
for purchase.
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| GMB Southern Region banner |
The
event was part of a joint initiative between the RTUC and RDLP entitled Reading
Labour 100. The initiative, which has already organised the William Winterbourne
Day at Kintbury, will be running a series of events throughout 2018 to mark the
centenary of the foundation of the Reading Trades Council and Labour Party (the
forerunner of the RDLP). Future events will be publicised on the RTUC Facebook
Page (https://www.facebook.com/ReadingTUC/)
or interested persons can enquire with the RTUC secretary (readingtradesunioncouncil@gmail.com).
