Monday 26 August 2013

Restoring Peter Blackman

Restoring Peter Blackman
Book Launch of Footprints by Peter Blackman on 17 October in London. The editor of this volume, Chris Searle, and Colin Prescod will speak about the poetry and politics of Peter Blackman (1909-1993) at the official launch at the Institute of Race Relations (London)
For more information: events@irr.org.uk
http://www.irr.org.uk/news/restoring-peter-blackman/

Saturday 24 August 2013

CfP: Remake / Remodel: The Making of the English Working Class at 50

Remake/Remodel: The Making of the English Working Class at 50 Call for papers. Roundtable discussion from midday on Saturday November 30th Institute of Historical Research WC1 It is 50 years since the publication of EP Thompson’s landmark volume The Making of the English Working Class. There have been a number of events already during 2013 to mark the anniversary and speakers have raised important questions such as what it means to be a Thompsonian today and how the book itself might be rescued from the enormous condescension of posterity. This roundtable, which is being held as close as possible to the book’s publication in late autumn 1963, seeks to take a research focused look at Thompson’s work. It will hope to look at some of the gaps and absences in the book, as well as reviewing topics that Thompson raised such at the moral economy and his remark at the end of the preface to the book that causes lost in nineteenth century England might yet be won elsewhere where research agendas are still very much active. Contributions to the discussion are welcome. A summary of a proposed contribution should be sent to Dr Keith Flett keith.flett@btinternet.com by the end of September 2013

Tuesday 20 August 2013

Eric Hobsbawm: Historian, Teacher and Critic

Eric Hobsbawm: Historian, Teacher and Critic Socialist History Society Public Meeting; all welcome This special seminar from the Socialist History Society will seek to assess the late Eric Hobsbawm’s enduring contribution to the study of history. Panel Discussion Willie Thompson, formerly Professor of Contemporary History at Glasgow Caledonian University; Malcolm Chase, Professor of Social History, University of Leeds; David Parker, Emeritus Professor, University of Leeds. Tuesday 1st October 2013, 7.00 pm. At Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4QH. Near Liverpool Street station/underground. Space is limited -please book early to ensure your place To book, contact the Bishopsgate Institute on 020 7392 9200 or online at For further information: http://www.bishopsgate.org.uk/Events

Sunday 11 August 2013

CfP: Workers' Internationalism before 1914

Conference: “Workers’ Internationalism before 1914”
15-16 February 2014, School of History, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK

Call for papers

2014 is the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the International Working Men’s Association in 1864. It is also the 125th anniversary of the foundation of the Socialist International in 1889, and the centenary of the outbreak of the war which precipitated the collapse of that International.

To mark these anniversaries, UEA School of History, in conjunction with the journal Socialist History and the Institute of Working Class History (Chicago) are organising a conference on “Workers’ internationalism before 1914”. We are inviting proposals for papers on any aspect of the subject.

Themes might include:
• the historical experience of the internationals and their affiliated organisations
• cross-border labour organisation
• resistance to nationalist politics in multi-national states
• transnational and international solidarity
• migration and the transplantation of labour movement culture
• international causes celèbres
• political asylum and revolutionary exile
• speaking tours of socialist leaders

We are seeking papers of 5000 to 10000 words on various experiences or aspects of workers’ internationalism before 1914, to be presented at the seminar. Selected papers will be published in 2014 in a special issue of Socialist History devoted to the subject.

Enquiries and proposals for papers should be submitted by 1 October 2013 to internationalism1914@gmail.com. Attendance at the conference will be free of charge.

Symposium on Class, Identity and Immigration

Symposium on Class, Identity and Immigration, University of Reading, 26th September 2013

In conjunction with the University of Reading and Socialist History, this symposium will examine communal and radical politics in the turn of the century East End of London, particularly focusing on the Jewish and Irish immigrant communities, through discussion of political, social, and comparative history, faith and minority culture. The speakers, from a variety of academic backgrounds, will provide fresh insight into the nature of identity and how it is shaped, both in the turn of the century East End and today.

With the recent statistics on the profound shift that has taken place over the last decade in the demographic make-up of London, and the political controversies over renewed immigration from Eastern Europe in to Britain, the question of minority ethnic identification and involvement in politics is as relevant as it was at the turn of the twentieth century. How the contemporary political Left should address these issues, and the viability of grass roots radical politics in minority communities, is a question beyond the remit of these papers. However, the arguments on class, immigration and identity in the late-Victorian and Edwardian period, presented here, approached from different disciplines and standpoints, and encompassing and utilising music, theatre, and poetry, may perhaps help to clarify the challenges faced today. The following papers will be given:

‘Morris Winchevsky’s London Years: The New Poetry of Jewish Socialism, 1884-94′ – Vivi Lachs (Royal Holloway)
 ‘Control, Cohesion and Faith: A Comparative Discussion of Immigrant Communal Control in the Fin-de-siècle East End’ – Daniel Renshaw (University of Reading)
‘Irish Catholic Religious Processions in Early Twentieth Century East London’ – Giulia Ni Dhulchaointigh (Trinity College Dublin)
Towards a Cosmopolitan Account of Jewish Socialism: Class, Identity and Immigration in Edwardian London’ – Dr Ben Gidley (COMPAS, University of Oxford)
 ‘” England People Very Nice”: Multi-Generational Irish Identities in the Multi-Cultural East End’ – Emeritus Professor Bronwen Walter (Anglia Ruskin University)

The symposium is to be held in Old Whiteknights House, at the University of Reading on Thursday 26th September 2013, with registration at 12 midday. Lunch will be provided. All are welcome, but please register as places are limited.

 If you are interested in attending or wish to find out more please email D.G.W.Renshaw@pgr.reading.ac.uk for further details.

Tuesday 6 August 2013

The Paul Robeson Art is a Weapon Festival 2013

Tayo Aluko and the Tristan Bates Theatre present
THE PAUL ROBESON ART IS A WEAPON FESTIVAL 2013
30 September – 26 October 2013

'My art is a weapon in the struggle for my people's freedom and for the freedom of all people' 
Paul Robeson

Alongside performances of Tayo Aluko's outstanding CALL MR ROBESON we present a series of performances, discussions, talks and events including politicians, historians and commentators from across the world, from Tony Benn to Yasmin Alhibai-Brown, RMT Union Leader Bob Crow and more.

Please be advised that the tickets are now fully on sale, and the early bird offer ends on August 11.

Tristan Bates Theatre
1A Tower St, Covent Garden 
WC2H 9NP
Box Office 020 7240 6283
Email: boxoffice@tristanbatestheatre.co.uk

Sunday 4 August 2013

CfP: LSHG conference on World War One

World War One conference: call for papers
 
1914-1919: Imperial War to Class War
 
Institute of Historical Research, WC1, 25th January 2014
 
The labour movement internationally supported the First World War but a minority across a range of viewpoints from Keir Hardie to Lenin refused to go along with their Government’s warmongering.
 
The war was to lead to death on an industrial scale and eventually revolution in Russia and Germany.
 
The Coalition Government plans to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the war but not celebrate it as a victory. Many on the right however are demanding that it should be celebrated as such. 

This conference will seek to take an alternative look at a range of aspects of WW1 from those who opposed it, to the workers movements which developed during it and after it and the harsh and deathly realities of the ‘war to end all wars’.
 
Papers presenting new research in these areas and perhaps particularly the impact of women and ethnic minorities in the war, which have been and are likely to remain under represented in historical studies, are particularly welcome.
 
Proposals for papers are invited- 500 words maximum- by the end of September 2013
Send to keith1917@btinternet.com

Commemoration of Llanelli Rail Strike & Uprising of 1911‏

Dear Comrades
One hundred and two years since the great railway strike. One hundred and two years since troops opened fire on Llanelli strikers and their supporters, killing two & sparking an uprising against the bosses and military. As every year, the Llanelli 1911 Committee is preparing to mark the occasion with a series of events:
 
WED 14 AUGUST
Poems & Pints – music and poetry of struggle & rebellion, with a railway strike theme! Beer & wine too!
Where: ‘The Club’ Queen Victoria Rd
When: 7.30pm ‘til late FREE
 
THURS 15 AUGUST
‘From the Great Unrest of 1911 to the Global Rebellions of 2013’
Where: Llanelli Rural Council Offices, Vauxhall
When: 5.00 – 7.00pm
A panel will discuss the significance of the 1911 events and compare the uprisings and revolutions currently sweeping the globe. Speakers will include Jonathan Edwards MP, John Edwards (author ‘Remembrance of a Riot’), Rob Griffiths (Author ‘Killing No Murder’), Tim Evans (author ‘The Great Unrest & a Welsh Town’) Chair: Alice Greenlees (Unison steward) There will be plenty of time for questions & contributions from the audience. Free tickets are limited. Ring Tim Evans on 0796 2804 452 to reserve tickets.
 
SAT 17 AUGUST
March, rally & graveside ceremony. Assemble Llanelli railway station 11.30 am. March will visit where the shooting took place. Rally in town centre. Wreath-laying ceremony at Box Cemetery. Cor Cochion choir will perform. Afterwards meet in Stamps pub town centre for after-march social.
I do hope you will be able to attend one or all of these events. E-mail me so we can have some idea of numbers. Remember for the forum places are limited, so you need to get a ticket.
Hope to see you at the events.
Fraternally
Tim Evans
tim.l.evans@btinternet.com