COLCHESTER residents are being asked to share any family history ahead of the 100th anniversary of the 1926 General Strike.
The General Strike of 1926 took place in Britain from May 4 to May 12 with about 1.7 million workers going on strike in sympathy with 1.2 million coal miners.
The public’s general positive reaction to the strike surprised both the government and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
However, the government was well-prepared, enlisting upper-class and middle-class volunteers to maintain essential services.
The TUC General Council visited 10 Downing Street to announce its decision to call off the strike.
A year later, a law was made banning sympathy strikes, general strikes, and mass picketing in Britain.
The Colchester Trades Union Council (TUC) is holding an event to mark the 100th anniversary of the General Strike of 1926.
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A spokesperson said they are placing particular emphasis on the regional importance act of the strike and would like anyone who has family memories to get in touch.
The free event on May 4 will start with a morning walk as part of the Jane's Walk Festival, led by Rebecca Rocket and guided by the journal entries of a teenage E.J Rudsdale who covered the strike.
Door will open at 2pm with photographs, newspaper articles, and other historic material before a panel and discussion will take place from 2.30pm to 5pm
Speakers will include Dr. Peter Gurney from Essex University and Charlie Kimber, co-author of a new book about the General Strike.
Footage of strike stories, kindly made available from the Sound Archive at Essex Records Office, and readings from meetings at Downing Street will be available.
From about 6.30pm, the 70-minute 1970s documentary film ‘The General Strike - A Revolution Betrayed?' will be shown after being recently unearthed in an archive of award-winning Platform Films.
If you have any family history, material, or stories to share please get in contact with the Colchester TUC on Facebook or email raph1949@icloud.com.
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