Wednesday, September 26, 2007


A WORKS COMMITTEE IN ACTION

The factory I work in North-West London recently won the Production Banner awarded
by the National Council of Shop Stewards, How did we do it ? Well, it wasn't easy, as

I'll explain. We started off with one main-idea in our minds—Team Work. Our Production Committee popularised this slogan so that the whole factory cottoned on to the idea, and everyone saw that they had a part to play.

Our factory consists of 50 bays, each of which has a Production Representative. The main job of these Production Representatives is to bring bottle-necks to the notice of the Central Production Representative, who immediately investigates the cause. of the hold-up and contacts the Manaerement.

The cause of the hold-up and contacts the Management. The workers in our factory are so keen on going all out to destroy the Nazis that' they won't stand for any shilly-shallying by the Management—or for any slackness in our own ranks.

The key to our success ? Well, first I would say team work. It's because we all stick together for the job in hand that we are able to tackle all the obstacles that crop up in the course of our work. And Second, it's because we all hate' Fascism so much that we won't let anything stand in our way in turning out the equipment for our lads in the Forces.—

JOAN STANLEY
(Woman Worker in the Tool-room).

Workers Pictorial (London Edition) circa 1943
issued by the CPGB printed Harrison & Sons Ltd,Hayes

London's Statute of Lenin

In 1942, the Labour controlled Finsbury Borough Council had erected a statue to Lenin in front of the 30 Holford Square from 1902 in which he had once lived.

The dead-white bust on its red marble base was regularly attacked and defaced by fascists, even during the war with PJ "Perish Jew" later it was removed to the Town Hall.

Across the road Berthold Lubetkin a communist architect designed the Lenin estate now known as the "Bevin Court" (after a local councillor) off Cruikshank Street.

Lubetkin also designed the London Zoo and Finsbury Health Centre


COMMUNIST BOOK SHOPS - LONDON
By Dave Cope

Hayes Thames Bookshop (later Progressive Bookshop) 83 Station Road, Hayes

1942 (prob. 1941)
a) Acton: 2 Church Road, High Street W3
b) Camden: 45 Parkway NW1 (gone by Feb 1949)
c) Peckham: 91 Peckham High Street SE15 (gone by Feb 1949)
d) Hayes: 83 Station Road [later Progressive Bookshop] gone by 1949 ?
e) Tooting: 28 Mitcham Road SW17 Closes 1949.
f) Stepney: 19 Whitechurch Lane, E1.
Had moved by 1943 to 20 Whitechapel High Street E1 (gone by Aug 1949).
1943 g) Harrow: 360 Station Road gone by 1949?
Feb 1946 h) Kingston: 29 Fife Road Kingston on Thames, Surrey
Feb 1949 i) 174 Royal College Street, NW1 Closes 1950.
Feb 1949 j) Moorgate: 151 Moorgate EC1. Closes later in 1949.
Nov 1949 k) 100 Woolwich High Street SE18
Nov 1949 l) 363 Cambridge Heath Road E2
Nov 1949 m) 1 Datcheler Place, SE5
Nov 1949 n) 23 Mason's Avenue, Wealdstone
Aug 1950 o) 421 Garrett Lane, SW18
Aug 1950 p) 75 Farringdon Road, EC1

1967 61 South Road, Southall, West Middlesex District Literature Department.
1974 Atlas Books, 221 The Broadway, Southall, West Middlesex District



1934 (Feb) Workers' Bookshop 31 Dudden Hill Lane, Willesden NW10, (in Feb 1934 this shop, called the "Unthanks Bookshop", acted as publisher for Inprecorr; later in 1934 it moved to 370 High Road, Willesden)

Workers' Bookshop 8 Goldhawk Mews, Hammersmith Workers' Bookshop 249 King St, Hammersmith

1934 New Books 12 Argyll Gardens, Burnt Oak


Ted Ainley worked in the West Middlesex Communist Party bookshop from 1952-53

Monday, September 24, 2007




Amalgamated Society of Carpenters & Joiners 1914

A new agreement has been reached between the Uxbridge Master Builders Association and the Uxbridge branch of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters & Joiners

The new agreements covers carpenters employed within a 4 mile radius of Uxbridge Market House

From January 1914 the carpenters rate will be 10d per hour, an increase of half a penny.



NOTE:

The Uxbridge branch (which included Hayes) was established around (1880 or 1883) and is therefore one of the oldest unions in the area
The Union in 1888 was meeting at the Grapes Public House, Hayes

The Southall branch of the Bricklayes Union dates from at least 1888 and was also meeting at the Grapes Public House, Hayes

Councillor Horace Lucia involved in the establishment of the union at Southall


The Southall branch of the Operative Plasters Union was established in Southall in 1905

Sunday, September 23, 2007



The Record of a Memorable Visit
Paris July 1947 Bastille Day
Communist Party of Great Britain

July 14th, Bastille Day, besides being a national holiday is a day of special significance for the people of France.

Many historic dates stand out in the chronicle of the great French Revolution, but Republican France chooses to celebrate the anniversary of July 14th, 1789.

On that day the people of Paris, impatient at the fruitless debates in the Estates General, rose in mass and stormed the fortress-prison of the Bastille, in whose dungeons were chained the heroes of their struggle for freedom.

The people, having struck the first decisive blow of the Revolution, carried it forward to victory. Thus began a revolutionary tradition which has been the motive force of French history in the past 150 years.

The spirit of the Bastille lived in the citizens who marched to battle singing the "Marseillaise" to defend their Revolution against foreign armies.

This was the spirit of 1830 and 1848, of the Paris Communards who "stormed heaven" in 1871 and of the heroic men and women of the Resistance.

This is the France we saw in the Place de la Republique on.that memorable Monday afternoon, the France of the Communist Party with its 75,000 martyrs.


Our British Communist Party is proud, to send 750 of its members to take part in this revolution anniversary,

Those of us who had the honour to be there should be keenly aware of the importance of visit

Here is the spirit of our trip caught in a moment. (Photo Left)

The frontier are down, language problems are forgotten. British and French unite in common understanding

The vast crowds who greeted our slogans saw in us, the living symbol of the forces in our country which will ensure that Britain's influence in the world will be used on the side of democratic advances for all nations.

We were the ambassadors of the real Britain to which they look with confidence and hope.

The value of such visits was well expressed "by the Secretary of the Party Committee of the 18th Arrondisseraent in his speech to us: "Friendly understanding between the common people of all lands will tear down the frontiers which the capitalist rulers erect in order to divide us, to create ill-feeling between us as part of their preparations for war."

Now that we are home again, we must make use of the lessons we learned in France. To bring into every aspect of our work here that enthusiasm and devotion which we felt there

To work to bring about that understanding and solidarity with the working class of mother lands which will help us to advance with them to happiness, prosperity' and lasting peace

TO SOCIALISM

(Photo Right) Friday's crossing. The English summer escorted us over the channel, but a sing song is a great tonic for sea sickness






(Photo Left) What's the first thing you look for in France ? why, L'Humanite of course


(Photo missing)
The Communist Deputy of Dieppe, Lucie Guerin, greets the British visitors with a handshake for John Gollen of our Executive Committee




"Friendship with our Allies but no submission to Dollar Imperialism" A slogan which was greeted with all along the route (Photo Right)















(Photo Above Left) The big day - July 14th
The march to the Assembly point near the Bastille




(Photo Right) The delegates of the Executive
Committee and members of District Committees lead the march past the tribune. A storm of cheers: "Vive le peuple anglais", "Vive L'Angletere democratique". People reach out to shake our hands. Some of our comrades are so filled with emotion that tears are streaming down their cheeks.



(Photo Left) The contingent of the Union of French girls carry a picture of Danielle Casanova, martyr of the Resistance. Here is a symbol of great hope of France's future. "No more tears. Unite and fight for a better future. We shall build happy homes in a lasting peace"





(Photo Right) Men in little skirts, as the French called them serenade the statue of the Republic. "The Daily Worker greets L'Humanite, France's greatest newspaper"











(Photo Left) Perhaps you can see yourself here........
(Photo Below Right) or here......



















(Photo Left) The ceremony of laying the wreath. Next to John Gollan stands the President of the "Committee of the Flame", French ex servicemen who maintain a permanent guard of honour at the tomb.





(Missing Photo) The wreath "From the British Communists to their brothers-in-arms", which we placed on the tomb of France's unknown warrior


The Monument

In 1913 suffragettes of the WSPU stormed the Monument in London (built to mark the Fire of London)


You can see in the WSPU flag flying from the railings

Local Hayes WSPU supporter Marion Cunningham lived at Oakdene, Hayes End,

The National Unemployed Workers Movement (NUWM) also occupied the Monument during the Thirties and unveiled a banner

Football Battalion WW1

During World War One WW1, there were a number of "Pal's Battalions" . including two English Football battalions.


A "pal's battalion" was comprised of soldiers raised in the same locality or at the same occupation, who the Army agreed would serve with their friends for the duration of the war.


There were two Football Battalion's in England (and this is not including the Sportsmen's Battalion)


17th Duke of Cambridge's Own Battalion (1st Football), the Middlesex Regiment Formed in London on 12 December 1914, by Rt-Hon. W. Joynson Hicks, MP. July 1915 : attached to 100th Brigade, 33rd Division. 8 December 1915 : transferred to 6th Brigade, 2nd Division. 10 February 1918 : disbanded in Belgium.

23rd (Service) Battalion (2nd Football), the Middlesex Regiment
Formed in London on 29 June 1915, by Rt-Hon. W. Joynson Hicks, MP. November 1915 : attached to 123rd Brigade, 41st Division.

Clapton Orient (now Leyton Orient) was the first English Football League club to enlist together. Following the example of club captain, Fred Parker, around 40 players and staff volunteered. Leading goal-scorers Richard McFadden and William Jonas were amongst those killed during the Battle of the Somme.


WALES
14th (Service) Battalion (Swansea), the Welsh Regiment. Formed at Swansea, October 1914, by the Mayor and Corporation and the Swansea Football and Cricket Club. November 1914 : attached to 129th Brigade, 43rd Division. 28 April 1915 : formation became the 114th Brigade, 38th Division.

SCOTLAND
The 16th (Service) Battalion (2nd Edinburgh) was known variously as Sir George McCrae's Battalion or "McCrae's Own" or, locally, as "Hearts Battalion". The entire Heart of Midlothian first team joined up in November 1914. Hearts were top of the Scottish League at the time.

Third Lanark, Heart of Midlothian his particular battalion (16/Royal Scots) was formed from players and supporters of Heart of Midlothian FC. McCrae himself was the local MP and he did serve with the battalion for a small period.
Famous Scottish Football Club Third Lanark joined the Third Lanark Riflemen Volunteers






Walter Tull (1888-1918)

Born 28th April 1888 in Kent

Played for Leyton Orient,Tottenham and Northampton Town, Walter thus become the first black outfield professional player (the first being goalie Arthur Walton for Preston North End).

When WW1 broke out and he enlisted in the 17th(1st Football)Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, as did many other professional players

By 1916 he was a sergeant and fought in the first battle of the Somme. Suffering from trench fever, Walter was brought back to England to recuperate. His superiors heard constant reports of the man's courage, popularity and leadership skills and they took a remarkable decision - to recommend Walter for a commission, ignoring the Army regulations that forbade 'any negro or person of colour' holding officer rank. Walter Tull was commissioned lieutenant in May 1917 and in doing so became the first British-born black officer in the Army.

Sent to the Italian front, this first British-born black officer in the British Army led his men at the Battle of Piave, and was commended for his 'gallantry and coolness'.

During the second battle of the Somme, On 25th March, 1918, 2nd Lieutenant Walter Tull was ordered to lead his men on an attack on the German trenches at Favreuil. Soon after entering No Mans Land, Tull was hit by a German bullet. Tull was such a popular officer that several of his men made valiant efforts under heavy fire from German machine-guns to bring him back to the British trenches. These efforts were in vain as Tull had died soon after being hit. He was awarded the British War and Victory Medal and recommended for a Military Cross.

EMERGENCY PLANNING 1915
THE GERMAN INVASION THREAT










The Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, Lord Lincolnshire attended the July meeting of Buckinghamshire County Council and made a speech full of suggestions as to what the country would be expected to do in the event of hostile landing on the East Coast.




1. Posting and distribution of emergency notices

2. Reception, the care of and passing on of refugees from the East
3. Receiving and passing westwards cattle driven from the East
4. Arranging rest and food camps for cattle driven westwards
5. Hospital arrangements at specified places for sick and wounded removed from the Eastern counties
6. Reserving and keeping free from traffic certain main roads required for military use
7. Arrangements for registration and branding cattle in the county
8.Arranging and equipping stations for live stock in the county
9. Removal or destruction of the same if specifically ordered
10. Arrangements for removal and destruction of boats, launches etc on the River Thames, in accordance with the scheme prepared by the Thames Conservancy.
11 Precautions against hostile aircraft and signals for giving warning of their approach
12. Collection of motors, bicycles, carts, carriages, horses and harness, petrol etc
13. Removal or destruction of same if ordered
14. Removal or destruction of food supplies if ordered
15. Collection of tools, picks, shovels etc required by the military
16. Collection of working parties in charge of foremen, the policy of the Government being to encourage ever able bodied man to task his part in the defence of the Realm
17. A general census of all the above is the hands of police, together with lists of flour mills and granaries etc
18. Reservation of certain roads for ordinary traffic and of other roads for driving cattle.
19. Generally to advice the civil population in Buckinghamshire to remain cool in the their homes and to pursue their ordinary avocation, and with regard to owners of local cattle, to register with the police, obtain brands and await orders. It is anticipated that local cattle will not be removed

He went on to praise the of the four thousand special Bucks constables and Bucks Volunteer Defence Force now numbering 2,700 men (a force no doubt originally established to meet the threat of the Swing rioters)

Uxbridge Advertiser
July 23rd 1915

Photo:
The last air raid of London in World War One WW1 at Sydenham Road junction with Fairlawn Park, Sydenham, South London, 19th May 1918 killing 12

Wednesday, September 19, 2007


Eddie Lopez

Eddie Lopez was a Labour Party organiser in Slough and Reading.


He contested the Slough constituency from 1987 and 1992 (losing by just over 500 votes in 1992)

The former Eaton & Slough seat had been held by Labour by Benn Levy (1945-1950), Fenner Brockway (1950-1964) and Joan Lestor's 1966-1983

Vice Chair of Cooperative Wholesale Society (CWS) Surrey & Berkshire


Lopez was a very popular and energetic candidate, he even had a record recorded about him by a local band

For those of us outside Slough, we never understood why he was manoeuvred out of being the Member of Parliament for Slough.

NOTE

Eddie Lopez actually came very close to winning Slough in 1992. He lost by 514 votes, but a rogue candidate called Alford who also termed himself, The Labour Candidate stood (election law has changed now to prevent this sort of thing) and, because he was top of the ballot paper, took 699 votes. He celebrated on election night with the winning Tories.

“Eddie Lopez Lives in Slough” by Nine Steps to Ugly, was the name of the record and reinforced the fact that Eddie lived in Slough unlike the ex Hillingdon Tory councillor John Watts.


Eddie Lopez had been instrumental in the establishment of a recording studio under the Slough Labour Rooms

Joan Lestor also a very popular, hard working MP, went on to be MP for Eccles


Monday, September 17, 2007


Juan Colonna Drenon

Juan Colonna Drenon born 1865 in Liverpool, was a newsagent/bookseller, living at Barra Hall Villa, Hayes.

He is undoubtedly one of the most important people, in the subsequent development of Hayes politically and
geographically.

Juan Drenon was an early member of Hayes Labour Labour Association (later Party) and was elected as one the first Hayes Labour Councillors for West Ward in 1913
.

In the following year he was elected Secretary of the rapidly expanding Hayes Labour Association in 1914


It can be no accident, that when Labour secured its first majority on Hayes council, it turned to Drenon to be its first Labour Chairman (Mayor)1915-1916. An honour not only unique to Hayes but allegedly to South East England (outside London)

During WW1 Drenon was involved with his wife in the Hayes Belgium Relief Fund, which attempted to help Belgium refugees settle in Hayes . Drenon personally accommodated
a Belgium family for free, for four monthsion in his house.

Drenon also took up issue of high private rents , Drenon denounced the profiteering of private land lords, who had increased rents allegedly by as much as 3s a week
. Drenon advocated the establishment of a Tenants Defence League to fight the rent increases.

Councillor Juan Drenon also made a withering attack on the ruling class and their form of patriotism , in a brilliant and blistering attack in July 1915 ,denouncing them accordingly.....

"The patriotism of many so called patriots, starts and ends with their pockets.
It was the same with the coal owners who grew fat out of the country’s needs and risk the country’s safety rather than give the colliers a living wage”


Later, Drenon became the first Labour Justice of the Peace in the area and also elected as a member of Uxbridge Joint Hospital Board.


Drenon's legacy to Hayes is the generally high standard of Council housing in Hayes. He was one of the main advocates of the massive post WW1, Hayes Housing scheme and accompanying town planning.


Councillor Juan Drenon's, endeavours were recognised by the Council, in the naming of Drenon Square after him.


In August 1917, Drenon wrote to the council resigning his Council seat "for business reasons and living now many miles outside the district"


Drenon moved to 5, Wroughton Terrace, Hendon and was at some point employed as a clerk.

Juan Colonna Drenon died Napsbury Hospital, 10th April 1921

Juan Colonna Drenon deserves much greater recognition in Hayes,


NOTES:



His wife was Maud Agnes Sparkes of Paddington/clerkenwell (married March 1910 at Hendon)

JC Drenon went to America (New York) in 1892 to find work


picture of J.C. Drenon 26th March 1915 Advertiser

We believe he was Born
in Liverpool in 1865


Sunday, September 16, 2007


The National Clarion Cycling & Athletic Club was established in 1894, as an off shoot of the famous "Clarion" newspaper.

The Cycling Section was quick to harness the new craze for cycling in Britain, not only to encourage a leisure amongst the working classes but also to spread Socialist
propaganda into rural areas.

In the mid 1930's the Clarion grew rapidly (1934-1,600; 1935-1,200) to about 10,000 members with branches in many towns. However the start of the Second World War (as did the WW1) stifled its growth.

The National Clarion Cycling & Athletic Club still functions today with branches from Bolton to Brighton



West London Clarion Cycling Clubs 1937


Southall Clarion Cycling Club:
Secretary: S.Davies, 24, Beresford Road, Southall

(Southall Clarion Fellowship and Cycling Scouts dates from around 1907, but I believe the Southall Clarion Cycling section was revivied around 1936)

Harrow Clarion Cycling Club:
Chairman: H. Lye 75 Conway Crescent, Perivale
Secretrary: H.L. Nicholson "Hazelemere" 50 Bishop Ken Road, Harrow Weald
Captain: F. Hanlon
Vice Captain: A.J. Pringle
Racing Secretray: A.J. Pringle
London Union Rep: H. Lye 75 Conway Crescent, Perivale
F.Hanlon



North West London Cycling Club:
Chairman: H.W. Meude
Secretary Jim Mann 1, Raeburn Road, Edgware
Captain F. Lenton

Vice Captain: C. Wood
Racing Sec: F.H. Mettam 22 Vicarage Walk N10
London Union Rep: C. Wood and F. Parnell

Hendon Clarion Cycling Club:

Chairman S. Keats
Secretary: E. Keats 20 Blundell Road, Burnt Oak Edgware
Captain Chris Smith
Lady Captain: Miss R. Rainbow
Press Sec: Vic C Botterill
London Reps: E. Keats and W. Richardson

other branches in London
LONDON UNION.



CITY & EAST LONDON: W. Shead, 11, White Lion Street, London, E.1.
CLAPHAM: Miss J. Court, 8 Croxden Walk, St Helier Avenue, Morden
DAGENHAM & ROMFORD: Alfred .S. Haddock, 60 Connor Road, Dagenham, Essex.
DEPTFORD & WOOLWICH: Fred Cooper, 97 Revelon Road, SE4
EAST HAM: H.W. Eades, 14, Thackeray Road, East Ham, London, E.6.
EAST LEWISHAM: Leonard Waller 1 Drysdale Road, Lewisham, SE13
FULHAM: C.Wooley, 85 Rylston Road, SW6
HACKNEY TRANSPORT: G: Temple, 141, Wells Street London, E 8.
HARROW: H.L. Nicholson "Hazelemere", 50 Bishop Ken Rd, Harrow Weald
HENDON: E. Keats 20 Blundell Road, Burnt Oak, Edgware
KENSINGTON
: C. Jaquest, 5, Bomore Rd., Kensmgton, London,W.11.
LEYTON: E. G. Kilbey, 49, Lincoln Street, E.11.
LONDON EASTERN: R. Cherney, 168, Hackney Road, E2
NORTH LONDON: Tom Wilkins, 86, Crondall Street, London, N.1.

NORTH-EAST LONDON: A. J. Straker, 268, Dalston Lane, London, E.8.
NORTH-WEST LONDON: Jim Mann 1, Raeburn Road, Edgware
PADDINGTON: H.C. Hotchkin, 102, Clarendon Street, Paddington W.2
PECKHAM & DIST: W. H. Childs, 68, Darwin St., Walworth, London, S.E.17.
RICHMOND AND DIST: A. Spackman, 47, Crane Avenue, Isleworth, Middlesex.
SOUTH-WEST LONDON: A. Johnson, 83, Hillbrook Road, London, S.W.17.
SOUTHALL: S. Davies, 24 Beresford Road, Southall, Middlesex
TOTTENHAM: H.J. Bone 43 Rangemoor Road, Tottenham N15
WALTHAMSTOW:
WOOLWICH: A. D. Bull, 21, Roberts Road, Belvedere, Kent.


LONDON CLARION CYCLING CLUB UNION 1936
President "Pa" G Bennett (North London Cycling Club)


Chairman: W. Cooper


Secretary: G.J. Jackson,
66 Leyden Mansions, Wartersville Rd, N19 (North London Cycling Club)


Boots Editor: F. Miller, 43 Maury Road, N16

National Rep: G. J. Jackson
Exec Committee: W.G. Cooper, G.J.Jackson, A.West, R.G.Webb, and W.Shead
London Union affiliation fees: 3d per member per year
Official Journal: Boots 1d circulation 500


NATIONAL CLARION CYCLING CLUB

National Secretary: Ernest Sugden, 15, West View, Hopwood Lane, Yorkshire
National President: Tom Groom


















Clarion Rituals

caller......BOOTS! reply........SPURS!

Explained

Boots and spurs is often heard on the highways. It is understood by many members. To the new members, or those who have not been enlightened, this brief explanation will be of interest. When " Nunquam " (Robert Blatchford Editor of the Clarion) wrote his book on his army life, he first published it in the Clarion, the paper from which our club and many other -organisations, took their names.

When the " Tommies " had retired to bed, and " lights out " had been sounded in the barracks some one would call on a pal to " spin a cuffer," to use the army slang for a story. It was impossible, in the darkness, to note the interest of each individual listener, and it was agreed that the teller of the cuffer would pause at intervals and call " Boots." All
were expected to answer Spurs and the one who had allowed himself to be lulled to sleep with the story would
get a sudden awakening by feeling a pillow, or perhaps something much harder, meeting with his head. These yarns interested the cycling club members and at that time every member was a reader of the Clarion.

The first Annual Easter Meet was held at Ashbourne, in 1895. Members from different districts were strangers to each other. Whilst it was still daylight it was easy to recognise the club badge, and thus know that another member had turned up for the first Meet. The trouble came at nightfall.

Those who had arrived were lounging about the village and on the roads leading into Ashbourne. It was quite easy to see when a light was approaching, but it was not possible to know whether the rider was wearing the club badge or not. One brainy member of the club put on his " studying cap, then came forth with the suggestion that if these cyclists were Clarion members they were also Clarion readers.

If they read the Clarion, then they would read " Nunquam's " army articles. Therefore, if they called out Boots, they
would understand that this was from some other Clarion reader and member and they would answer " Spurs." This worked so well that ever since 1895 this has been recognised as our members' password. Members from the south who are touring in the north, or vice versa, on seeing a cyclist wearing the club badge will call out " Boots." No further introduction is necessary.

The other answers " Spurs," and these two will find much in common to discuss. The one who knows the district will be of great service to the one who is touring Older members of the club can tell of many strange places where they have met members, and how such meeting has proved of great value, simply through the simple introduction of our club call.

Remember this, and when next you hear a Comrade call Boots, don't look at him as though he was calling you something unpleasant, answer " Spurs," and stop if you have time. He is a comrade of the same club, enjoying the best of all pastimes, and you will find the spirit of comradeship "Always remember that the wearing of. the club badge is important because it is the same badge as is worn by members all over the country. It has a much greater meaning than the local club badges, which are known only to the few cyclists who live in the immediate district. Our badge, and our club, are both worthy of the greatest honour we can show, and that is to wear the club badge on all your cycling tours and short runs.



Saturday, September 15, 2007

HAYES COTTAGE HOSPITAL







Hayes Cottage Hospital, was successfully occupied by staff and the people of Hayes on Tuesday 25th October 1983 to stop its planned closure.

The Work-in by staff (25 nurses and 16 Ancillary staff) , supported by patients local doctors and the community secured massive public support from the comminity, leading to the Health Authority withdrawing the closure threat to 32 beded Hayes Cottage Hospital and Northwood & Pinner Hospital (also occupied)

Below are the names of those people who stood by the hospital and did at least one shift on the 24 hour picket line at Hayes Cottage





HAYES COTTAGE OCCUPATION ROLL OF HONOUR

Phil Anderson, Central Avenue, Hayes (14)
Reg Allen, 122 Charnwood Rd, Hillingdon (8)
Megan Armstrong, Langmead Road, Hayes (8)
Catherine Alderton, The Green, West Drayton
John Allen, West Drayton
Ivor Anthony, 42 Barra Hall Road, Hayes
Vera Abrams
Pat Abrraham, Waterloo Rd, Uxbridge

David & Marge Bayne, 19, Grosvenor Avenue, Hayes (NUPE Steward Hayes Cottage Hospital)
Stephane Bayne, Grosvenor Avenue, Hayes
Eileen Birbridge Working at Hayes Cottage
Mike, Alice & Benn Bowe, Nine Elms, Cowley (23)
Seth Bateman, Orchard Road (19)
Pauline Ballinger, Grange Close, Hayes (11)
Ralph Benton West Drayton (11)
Gordon Bogan, 15 Bassett Road, Uxbridge (9)
Peter Batley, Carolyn Rd, Hayes NUPE Branch Sec
Carol Brewer, Briar Way, West Drayton
Maggie Broughton, 37 Warley Road, Hayes
Vivienne Brown, Fairey Avenue, Hayes

Paul Buck
Moira Bulmer, League of Friends
B. E Burbridge, Freemans Lane, Hayes
Keith Burns Dinganhill Close, Hayes
Roy Bands, 28 HuntersGrove, Hayes
Margaret Barber, Gledwood Drive
James Barton
Chrissie Beale
Linda & Lutetia Bennett, Snowden Ave, Hillingdon

Steve Clare, Botwell Lane, Hayes (Sec Hillingdon Health Emergency)
Andrea Campbell, COHSE Hackney
Jean Carey 4 Risholme Road, Harrow (Matron N&P Hospital)
Eddie Coulson NUPE full time officer
Tom Crow, Granville Road, Hillingdon (12)
Bernice Crow, Granville Road, Hillingdon (14)

Rashmi Chopra (13) Southall
Frank Cooper
Wally Collins, 24 Manor Way, Hayes
Martin Craxton, 26 Park Road Hayes
Arthur Cooper, 60 Mount Pleasant, Ruislip
Paul Crimmins, Nurses Home, Hillingdon
Fred Clarke, Nine Elms Close, Cowley
Sylvette Collins, Long Lane, Hillingdon
Peter Casey Adelaide Rd, West Drayton (13)


Keith Dobson, Candover Close, Harmondsworth (7)

Mouse Dismore, Park Road East, Uxbridge
Pete Denman TGWU Branch Secretary
Liz Dodd, Brunel University
Vic Davis, Fairey Avenue
D. J Davies

Malcolm Evans, Church Road, Hayes (12)
Eric “Ginger” Evans, 43 Judge Heath Lane (Patient)
Tim Evans, Longmead Rd, Ealing
Jackie Evans, 43 Judge Heath Lane, Hayes
Kate Evans, Normandy Drive, Hayes
Francis Evans
Tom Earnshaw

Peter Fagan, 107 Landsbury Drive, Hayes (9)
Val & John Frost, Balmoral Drive, Hayes (17)
Richard Farrell, Charnwood Rd, Hillingdon
Cyrese Fear, High Street Harlington
Eugene Finley, New Road, Harlington
Steve Field, Winnock Rd, West Drayton
Don Foale
Mrs Frank, (League of Friends)
Tony Fox, St Anselms Road, Hayes
Heather Follett

Geoff & Paulie Gray, Bell Avenue, West Drayton (10)
David Godwin, 46 Yeading Lane, Hayes (21)
Joanne Gray, Bell Avenue (10)
Georgina Gray, Bell Avenue
Harold Goodwin, 1 Towers Avenue, Hillingdon
Ossie Garvin, 44 Church Road, Hayes
Mary Gordon, Park Road, Uxbridge
Andy Graham, Gurnard Close, Yiewsley
Andy Grant
Helen Gray, Pinglestone Close, Harmondsorth
Maurice Gross, West Drayton

Eileen Heslin, Central Avenue, Hayes (34)
Ted Harris Westacott, Hayes (15)
Ted Helliker, Charnwood Rd, Hillingdon
Chris Hickey
Brenda Hitchcock
Daisy Hemp, Queens Road, Hayes
Peter Holley, Halsway, Hayes
Ann Holmes, Ethorpe Rd, Uxbridge
Thomas Hitchcock
Betty Hodgkins

Pauline & Derek Ives, Lynch Gate Walk, Hayes (10)

Les Jones, The Dingle, Hillingdon

George & Mary James

Terry Knowles, Longmead Rd, Hayes (9)
Madaline Arnold King, Vernon Park Rd, Harefield
Phil Kordun, 26 Chiltern View Rd, Uxbridge
S. Khumra, Spencer Avenue
Joe Kelly, Down Way, Northholt
Mandy Kent
W. Kelly Coldharbour Lane, Hayes
Simon Kaplan, Orchard Drive, Uxbridge

Julia Leonard, Portland Rd, Hayes (8)
Bob Lips, 103 Harlington Road, Uxbridge
George Lefort, 110 Ryefield Ave (19)
Beverley Lamont

John McDonnell Mulberry Parade, West Drayton (GLC)
Peter & Margaret, McDonald, Uxbridge Road, Hayes
Kathleen McDonnell, Shepiston Lane, Hayes
Bob McMillan Harland Court, Merle Ave Harefield
John McKenzie
Neil McKenzie
John McCormack, Sweetcroft Lane, Hillingdon

John & Joyce Mansfield, 80 Attlee Road, Hayes
Chris Malkin Clayton Rd, Hayes
Jake Magee, Uxbridge (3)
D Maher
Mrs Major, Carlyon Rd, Hayes
Tracey Millson, Appletree Ave, Hillingdon
Kevin Masters, Ruislip (21)
Dean Mantle
Madeline Mumford
Susan Monaghan
Eric Moody

Bob & Ivy Newton, 44 St Helen, Close, Cowley (37)
Tony Newell, Central Avenue

Mitch O’Connell (13)
Fred & Anne O’Leary
Brenda O’Rourke, Doghurst Ave, Harlington
Greg O’Callaghan

Mr & Mrs Pankhurst, 50 Gledwood Avenue, Hayes (23)
Peter Pink, 1 Hambledon Close, Hillingdon
Madeline Graham Pascoe, Gurnard Close, Yiewsley (10)

Ted Plenty, Kimberly, Cecil Road, Iver, Bucks
Jane and George Pringle, Harefield Road, Uxbridge
Darren Paul
Ian Pearce, 15 Post Meadow, Iver Heath (12)
George Philpot, 7 Providence Lane, Harlington (24)
John Painter
John Page, Halsway, Hayes

Chris Rogers, Botwell Lane, Hayes (8)
Clive Rogers
Mary & Wally Richardson, 37 Rectory Road, Hayes
Tony Rogers, 103 Harlington Road, Uxbridge
Peter Ryerson, Rosa, Canal Boat, Cowley
Jim Read
Ben Rawlins, Compton Rd, Hayes
B Reilly, 11 Gledwood Gardens
Gary & John Rudge, Longmead Rd, Hayes
June Reid
Renits, Sussex Road, Harrow
B Reilly, Gledwood Gardens,Hayes
Gary & John Rudge, 84 Longmead Road, Hayes

Nigel Stephens 1118 Uxbridge Road, (20)
K. Samin

Sylvia Tebbenham 100 Warwick Crescent, Hayes (NUPE steward Hayes Cottage)
W Thompson, Botwell Lane, Hayes
Peter Tobey, Little Elms, Harlington
R Toovey, Halsway, Hayes
Michael Turner, West Drayton

Loretta Turner, Silverdale Gardens, Hayes

Frank & Majorie Woodruff, 47 Blandford Way, Hayes
Michael Walker COHSE
Steve Clare, Botwell Lane, Hayes (Secretary Hillingdon Health Emergency)
Steve & Hazel Ward, Whitby St Bradford
Des Wright, Hughes Rd (Legal advisor)
Julie Watkins, Colbrook Ave, Hayes (11)
John Walker, Botwell Common Road
A.P. Wadham, Harvey Road, Hllingdon
Bob & Shirley Walters
Des Wright
Nina Watson, Norton Road, Uxbridge
Trish Webster, (League of Friends)
J. Wilson
Tony Wingate, Otterfield Rd


Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Belgium Refugees - First Hayes Immigrants - Workers Union

Hayes Belgium Relief Fund
The first immigrants

Hayes Belgium Relief Fund was established at a public meeting 23rd October 1914, after the Emergency Committee had received a letter from Local Government Board asking Hayes to offer hospitality to Belgium refugees.
At the outset of World War One and the German invasion , Belgium refugees had flocked to Britain (an estimated 500,000 in total).

Many Belgium refugees seem to have been progressed initially through the Earls Court Camp in London.
The Hayes Committee looked after 100 families, many of the women and children, but also wounded Belgium soldiers. (Some refugees we know were from the Louvain region of Belgium)
Initially, the committee tried to secure accommodation for the refugees at White Hall, Hayes End, but Hearne House and Lodge were secured, later The Gables at Wood End and Mr Drenon (Labour Councillor) took refugees into his home at Barra Hall.

Some of the younger Belgium men secured work in the Hayes factories, but work at the Army Motor Works was said to be "irregular".
Despite a national shortage of Labour, pay and conditions for the Belgium workers seem to have been bad, local employers taking the opportunity to cut pay rates. Belgium workers who protested at poor conditions were threatened with being conscripted into the Belgium Army.

A number of local Belgium workers in the factories joined the Workers Union, who had appointed a national Belgium full time officer, Jan Chapelle (a well know Belgium trade union leader) to look after their interests.
The committee raised money by local collections and Belgium flag days

Hayes Belgium Relief Fund Committee:


Dr W. D. Hopkins, Cllr Juan Drenon JP, Mrs Gunton, Mrs Hudson, Mrs Ellis, Mrs Ritchings, Rev Mr E.R Hudson, Mr I. Ellis, Mr J. Hibbert, Mr H.W. Hunt, Mr E. Tucker, Mr E. J. Nyblom, Mr E. Window
Hayes Belgium Relief

Committee Secretaries:
Mr Montague Rose, The Bryan, Keith Road, Mr W. Herbert Rhodes 17, Cranmer Road


Note:
Rhodes was a Labour Councillor as was Juan Drenon
LOcal branch Secretary of the Workers Union was Douglas Page

Picture Top
Belgium monument on the embankment in tribute of the Belgium refugees, unveiled 1920


George Albert Pargiter

George Pargiter was Labour Member of Parliament for Southall from 1950, he had originally been elected as Member of Parliament for Spelthorne in 1945

Born 16th March 1897, educated at Towcester Grammar School, Northamptonshire

Official of the local Amalgamated Engineering Union (AEU) in Southall, (may have worked at AEC,Southall)

Involved in the Southall Labour League of Youth in the thirties


Southall Borough Councillor 1934-1945 and Mayor of Southall 1938-40

Member of Middlesex County Council 1946-1949

When he retired in 1966, Sid Bidwell became Labour MP for Southall

He secured a life peerage as Baron Pargiter of Southall

Died 16th January 1982

Monday, September 10, 2007


James Patrick Gardner MP


James Patrick Gardner was born in Belfast, Ireland in 1883, where he was a supporter of Joseph Devlin MP Nationalist MP for Belfast Falls and later Fermanagh & South Tyrone)


Gardner was eight years Chairman of West London Independent Labour Party (ILP), seven years active in London & South Eastern Divisional Council of the ILP Chairman of Hammersmith North Labour Party (elected in 1920) and local Labour Councillor 1919-1922

National Executive member of the Amalgamated Furnishing Trade Association, he was also an accomplished architectural sculptor


Labour Councillor Hammersmith 1919-1922 and 1928-1937

J.P. Gardner was elected MP for Hammersmith North at his second attempt in 1923-1924 and 1926-1931

Died 1937

Friday, September 07, 2007


Samuel Philip Viant

Sam Viant was born in Plymouth in on 5th January 1882,

His mother was Phoebe Viant a shop grocer, his sister was Phoebe jnr,and brothers Daniel, Albert.

Educated at Devonport higher grade school, Plymouth


As a young man Sam Viant started an apprenticeship as a carpenter, but because of family financial difficulties had to withdraw.

In 1901 Samuel Viant was according to the Census, a carpenter living with his family at 22 Exeter Street, Plymouth. Later in that year he moved to London to work as a carpenter.

On his arrival in London
Sam a committed " abstainer" became involved in Dr Clifford's Brotherhood movement meetings in Westbourne Park,

He becomes heavily involved in trade union issues and attended Paddington School for Social Science and undertook a Ruskin College, Oxford correspondence courses.


Sam is elected Vice Chairman of Paddington Trades Council Member and joins the Independent Labour Party (ILP), standing unsuccessfully in 1908 for Paddington Council (with the support of his hero Kier Hardie).

Viant was also active in the Co-operative movement during this period.

He moves to Willesden and in 1918 unsuccessfully contests a seat on Willesden Council and
the newly created parliamentary seat of Willesden West, at the 1918 General Election.
In 1919, his hard work is rewarded and he is elected to Willesden Council and becomes the pioneering Chairman of the Works Committee, Justice of the Peace (1928-1949).

Finally, Sam Viant is elected as Member of Parliament for Willesden West on 6th December 1923. Accordingly he became a member of the first Labour Government and the first Labour MP in West Middlesex. (James Patrick Gardner elected at same election for Hammersmith North)

In 1929 Sam Viant as appointed Assistant Post Master General, until the Labour Government fell in 1931 due to the Ramsay MacDonald debacle and Viant lost his parliamentary seat at the subsequent election.

He won back the Seat in 1935 and held it until he retired at the 1959 General Election.

In later life,
Sam Vian took to wearing a white and blue striped waistcoat, with buttons each bearing a tiny coloured portrait of Kier Hardie.
Sam Viant was a National Executive member (General councilman) of the Carpenters & Joiners Union Executive Committee.


He was Member of Parliament for Willesden until 1959
when Laurence "Larry" Pavitt becomes Labour MP for Willesden.

In 1960 Sam Viant was elected Mayor of Willesden


Sam Viant died on the 19th May 1964, aged 81

Len Snow former Mayor of Brent recalls " He was a pleasant, quiet man, with a bristly moustache, who persuaded us rather than bludgeoned us with his political views"

Sam Viant's Election Agent was Alfie Nunn (1881-1955) they were described as the "perfect team" born in Paddington, but aged four moved with his family to Kilburn. he joined the Labour Party in 1902. Local Willesden Councillor and Mayor 1945-1946

NOTE

Hamilton Hall, Willesden High Street became headquarters of the Willesden Labour Party in 1922 run by the Harlesden Labour Club which affiliated to the Independent Labour Party in 1911.

Dave Barrett

In 1904 the first acknowledged Labour Councillor, Dave Barrett was elected for Church End ward,

Dave Barrett was born in Kensington on 1st March 1855, he worked as a labourer, and then became the "registration agent" for the Irish Parliamentary Party and as such was said to have been known in every constituency in England.

In 1890 he helped get the unknown Lloyd George elected by getting Irish voters to support him. He was also an official of the General Labourers Amalgamated Society and a member of the Bricklayers Union

He came to Willesden in 1901/02 and founded the National Democratic League

Barrett did some excellent pioneering work on the Willesden Council and Board of Guardians, including extension of the Workhouse (Central Middlesex Hospital) pay of staff and the Independent Labour Party's Socialist Sunday School at Leopold School

Dave Barrett died in obscurity in 1926 and is buried in the Roman Catholic cometary at Kensal Green

Information on Dave Barrett from Len Snow's excellent history of the Labour Party in Brent


 November 1940 Young Socialist
Socialist Sunday School

Hounslow branch
20 Heath Road Hounslow
3pm
Sec Mrs Tierney 39 St Stephens Rd Hounslow

West London Federation

Sec James M Hoyle  10 Walnut Tree Road, Heston