Colleagues,I am pleased to report that on this May Day I am thoroughly surrounded by strong, vibrant evidence of the vitality of this movement of ours.
I am at Ruskin College this weekend in part to meet a new group of students starting out on the long road towards the achievement of the College's BA in International Labour & Trade Union Studies (ILTUS).
A very fine bunch of women and men - I wish them all well.
Being in Oxford I can happily report also on a very well attended march and rally in defence in jobs and the public sector as part of the city's May Day celebrations.
I always draw on illustrations from Walter Crane for May Day, and the Workers' Garland image shown here is as good as any he created.
I wish you all the best for this global workers' day of celebration. Let us reflect on the need for solidartity with workers globally and prepare for whatever it is that comes out of the general election next week.
My very best wishes.
Ian
5 comments:
"Walter Citrine" -
Walter Crane, Brother... You've been reading too much of Citrine & his name is fixed in your mind...
Oh dear,
What an error, and Ian a tutor of trade union history to-boot!
I put it down to his exile in Tenerife - too much sun and sangria!
Jen
Thanks Paul,
What was I thinking of?
As you suggest, I have spent too much time recently looking at TUC history, rather than the grand lives of the left's celebrated artists.
Cheers!
Ian
Hello Ian,
Glad to hear you are back in the UK, John reckoned you were wangling more time in the sun!
I'm sure I've seen other Walter Crane pictures. Have you got a link to a site of his?
Val
Hi Val,
A good starting point is: http://www.waltercrane.org.uk/
For a better perpective on his trade union links have a look at:
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jcrane.htm
or
http://www.wcml.org.uk/contents/creativity-and-culture/art/walter-crane/
or even
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/banners_01.shtml
Please let me know how you get on and what you think of the web sites.
Cheers!
Ian
Post a Comment