News Feed - Bristol Radical History Group

The Maltreated and the Malcontents

Women Cotton Workers Fight Back 1838–1914

The history of Bristol’s Great Western Cotton Works in Barton Hill, which opened in 1838, is little known. The story of its workforce — mainly low-paid women and children — has never been told. From the 1830s to the early twentieth century, Barton Hill workers endured long working hours, high rates of industrial accidents and ill-health from the cotton dust and humidity. Moreover, they were subjected to wage cuts and fines by a series of unrelenting managers. Divided along age and gender lines […]

Three new videos

By Randell Brantley

We have added three new videos from recent talks: Revolution in Rojava: Strengths and Challenges Poaching in the South West: The Berkeley Case Hesitant Comrades

Captain Jack White DSO

from Imperialism to Anarchism

Captain Jack White DSO attracted adjectives like jam does wasps - flamboyant, gallant, romantic, handsome, idiosyncratic, incorrigible - and every one of them was appropriate. He was a Presbyterian from the northern part of Ireland who fought in the Boer War, became the first commander of the Irish Citizen Army in the 1913 Dublin Lockout, was arrested for sedition during WW1, fell foul of all the police/paramilitary/governmental authorities in Ireland between 1913 and 1936, and participated in […]

Avon Local History & Archaeology Study Day 2016

By Randell Brantley

The ALHA 2016 annual study day will be held on Saturday 16 April at the University of the West of England. Speakers are Alan Freke on Fry’s, Steve Grudgings on coal mining, Raymond Holland on tar and chemicals, Gerry Atterton on the Great Western Cotton Works, Tony Coverdale on copper and brass, Jane Ferentzi-Sheppard on Finzel’s sugar and Mike Richardson on E & S A Robinson’s paper. Full programme.

The Bristolian Fundraiser

By Randell Brantley

There is a fundraiser for The Bristolian Newspaper at the Stag and Hounds on Old Market Street, Thursday 21st April 2016.

Make More Noise! Suffragettes in Silent Film

By Randell Brantley

The West of England and South Wales Women's History Network is pleased to present a free showing of Make More Noise! Suffragettes in Silent Film. Make More Noise is a selection of silent films from the British Film Institute National Archive exploring the representation of suffragettes in the early 20th century. From footage of suffrage demonstrations to anarchic women's comedy, the collection was brought out to complement the release of Suffragette. The film will be shown at the Salt Café Deli, […]

Walter Ayles

Join the Rad’s Army Radical History Zone on 30th April!

By Randell Brantley

Radical History Zone 2016 PosterRadical History Zone 2016 Poster

We are celebrating two anniversaries this year! 2016 marks the 10th birthday of the Bristol Radical History Group. This year we have also organised the 5th Radical History Zone (RHZ). The RHZ is an autonomous space for ideas about radical history that takes place alongside the annual Bristol Anarchist Bookfair. As ever there will be an eclectic mix of topics taking a critical approach to hidden history, with perspectives and themes rarely explored in conventional histories or the mainstream […]

Slaughter No Remedy

The life and times of Walter Ayles, Bristol Conscientious Objector

By Colin Thomas

Walter Ayles was a fighter – but a fighter who didn’t believe in killing. He fought against unemployment and ruthless employers but also against the pro-war fever that led to the First World War. A Bristol councillor before the War, he was sent to prison for his opposition to it. Soon after his release, he was elected the MP for Bristol North. This pamphlet outlines the life and times of a man who fought for socialism and peace.

The Life and Death of Hannah Wiltshire

A Case Study of Bedminster Union Workhouse and Victorian Social Attitudes on Epilepsy

By Rosemary L Caldicott

During the year of 1855 rumours of murder and cover up were circulating in the small north Somerset village of Walton-in-Gordano. An epileptic destitute country girl had died in the local institution known as the Bedminster Union Workhouse. Her death caused public outrage after letters were written to the local newspapers. The Board of Guardians were suspected of concealing the true magnitude of neglect at the workhouse, leading to accusations of medical negligence. In this pamphlet, Victorian […]