Newsletter: April/May 2026
A very warm welcome to the first Scottish Labour History Society newsletter in over 18 months.
My initial aim is to publish every other month. If you have any events or news you would like included, please email me: admin@scottishlabourhistorysociety.scot. I am hoping to move the newsletter format over to a web-based one by the time the next one is due, so I can work with embedded content, so if you already have publicity materials for social media etc, you can send a link.
“Not a penny off the pay, not a minute on the day’
Next month it's (almost) all about commemorating the centenary of the 1926 General Strike, which started on 4th May and ended on 12th, though the miners continued their strike for another six months. To start with the exception, however:
Memoirs of Jim Charleson: Launch event (sponsored by RMT)
Members are very welcome to join us at the launch event for our latest occasional publication, accompanied by an exhibition, at the Wee Museum of Memory 2, Ocean Terminal, Leith (https://maps.app.goo.gl/X9tp6M1EvvckdJDTA) at 2pm on Monday, May 11.
Ian MacDougall memorial lecture 2026: The centenary of the General Strike in Scotland
National Library of Scotland boardroom, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, 5pm. Tuesday May 12
Our very own Dr Andy Clark (SLHS committee member) will present new research from the extensive archive of pioneering labour historian Ian MacDougall, including his exploration of over twenty boxes of papers MacDougall gathered for his unfinished project on the strike. This talk will explore the legacies, myths, and memories of the strike in its centenary year.
This event is sold out to the public via NLS on Eventbrite, but SLHS has its own allocation of tickets with 16 remaining at the last update, so if you would like to attend, please email SLHS Chairperson Stewart Maclennan: stewart_maclennan@btinternet.com. First come first served!
Remembering the General Strike: Falkirk event
An evening of talks celebrating the past and present of the labour movement at Trinity Church, Falkirk (https://bit.ly/48msAol) at 7pm on May 14. Free, but please book here as places are limited: https://bit.ly/4e1XQwu
General Strike 100
Finally, if you fancy a (long distance) jaunt next weekend, Unite the Union, in collaboration with the Durham Miners’ Association and the NUM, are holding a General Strike 1926 centenary event in Barnsley on Saturday May 2, with a march and rally in the day and a gig at Vault 27 at 5pm, with all proceeds from the gig going to striking workers. Tickets are £16.96 via Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/48nzVE8
For more details and to register your interest in the day, see the event Facebook page: https://bit.ly/4vSURgq