To mark the centenary of the 1926 General Strike and miners’ lockout, BRHG members are involved in a project to commemorate the strike in Bristol and the surrounding area. The outcome of this will either be a number of pamphlets on general strike themes or a book containing a number of essays. The aim is for the publications to be launched in April or early May 2026 and that the launch will coincide with a commemorative event.
The centenary of the start of the strike will be on May 4th 2026.
The themes identified so far are:
- The national context and the story of the strike in the Bristol area
- The strike in the print industry
- The involvement of the shop workers
- The role of the Trades Council
- The miners’ lockout in the Forest of Dean
- The miners’ lockout in the Somerset coalfield
- The miners’ lockout in Kingswood and South Gloucestershire
- The involvement of volunteers as strike breakers and Special Constables
- The impact on women and children
Work has already started on some of these themes; other research will begin shortly. Contributors have already volunteered to research and write but there is still scope for others to join in.
BRHG have joined the co-ordination which is underway to bring together as many museums, libraries, archives and local history groups as possible in a national celebration of the Strike.
In this blog by Henry Fowler, Assistant General Secretary of the General Federation of Trade Unions, he describes ‘Making history, not reliving it – the national partnership to celebrate 100 anniversary of the General Strike 1926’.
If you would like to contribute please contact us.
