Libraries Gave Us Power
@lgupbook.bsky.social
Gavin McCann, UNISON E Mids & formerly ISTC (now Community). Hopefully a book will emerge to provide a history of TU education for its members and I will post my findings on here as I go.
Ellen Wilkinson: Minister of Edu. '45-'47. @usdawunion.bsky.social official
George Tomlinson: Minister of Edu. '47-'51. Started work at 12 and became President of his local Weavers Assoc
TUists who guided the Labour Party's educational policy when the future of secondary edu was still v uncertain
George Tomlinson: Minister of Edu. '47-'51. Started work at 12 and became President of his local Weavers Assoc
TUists who guided the Labour Party's educational policy when the future of secondary edu was still v uncertain
June 7, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Ellen Wilkinson: Minister of Edu. '45-'47. @usdawunion.bsky.social official
George Tomlinson: Minister of Edu. '47-'51. Started work at 12 and became President of his local Weavers Assoc
TUists who guided the Labour Party's educational policy when the future of secondary edu was still v uncertain
George Tomlinson: Minister of Edu. '47-'51. Started work at 12 and became President of his local Weavers Assoc
TUists who guided the Labour Party's educational policy when the future of secondary edu was still v uncertain
Two books I've putting off for quite a while as I know they'll require a lot of notes!
June 6, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Two books I've putting off for quite a while as I know they'll require a lot of notes!
'Time Off to Learn' (1987) was published to support 'Paid Educational Leave' & covered:
- Workbase. NUPE project to deliver basic skills in the workplace. Started in 1979!
- Take Ten. Sheff City Council workers 10 days paid release to learn
The big question: where are these issues now discussed?
- Workbase. NUPE project to deliver basic skills in the workplace. Started in 1979!
- Take Ten. Sheff City Council workers 10 days paid release to learn
The big question: where are these issues now discussed?
May 31, 2025 at 2:06 PM
'Time Off to Learn' (1987) was published to support 'Paid Educational Leave' & covered:
- Workbase. NUPE project to deliver basic skills in the workplace. Started in 1979!
- Take Ten. Sheff City Council workers 10 days paid release to learn
The big question: where are these issues now discussed?
- Workbase. NUPE project to deliver basic skills in the workplace. Started in 1979!
- Take Ten. Sheff City Council workers 10 days paid release to learn
The big question: where are these issues now discussed?
One of JF Horrabin's National Council of Labour College (NCLC) cartoons attacking the motives of the state for supporting working class education.
May 30, 2025 at 4:09 PM
One of JF Horrabin's National Council of Labour College (NCLC) cartoons attacking the motives of the state for supporting working class education.
In the early 20th century trade union education flourished. However, the main providers (WEA & National Council of Labour Colleges) did not get on. This 21st birthday greeting to the WEA kind of sums it up. 'You ask for birthday greetings...we should be happier to attend your funeral'
April 25, 2025 at 5:09 PM
In the early 20th century trade union education flourished. However, the main providers (WEA & National Council of Labour Colleges) did not get on. This 21st birthday greeting to the WEA kind of sums it up. 'You ask for birthday greetings...we should be happier to attend your funeral'
Proof, if needed, that @weaadulted.bsky.social tutors were never too formal for their students. NUM summer school (no date but presumably 1950s)
April 25, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Proof, if needed, that @weaadulted.bsky.social tutors were never too formal for their students. NUM summer school (no date but presumably 1950s)
Following the Russell Report into Adult Education in 1973, the @weaadulted.bsky.social called on Education Secretary, Margaret Thatcher, to be a "good fairy" to implement the findings and double the numbers involved in adult education to 4 million. Articles found in London Met Uni archive
April 24, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Following the Russell Report into Adult Education in 1973, the @weaadulted.bsky.social called on Education Secretary, Margaret Thatcher, to be a "good fairy" to implement the findings and double the numbers involved in adult education to 4 million. Articles found in London Met Uni archive
First ever trip to the People's History MMuseum & it was superb.
My archive find of the day:
"To educate is to organise. To organise effectively, must be to educate"
Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers" 1922
My archive find of the day:
"To educate is to organise. To organise effectively, must be to educate"
Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers" 1922
April 11, 2025 at 3:45 PM
First ever trip to the People's History MMuseum & it was superb.
My archive find of the day:
"To educate is to organise. To organise effectively, must be to educate"
Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers" 1922
My archive find of the day:
"To educate is to organise. To organise effectively, must be to educate"
Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers" 1922
Letters of congratulations she received on receiving her Honorary MA came from union members, MPs, Mayors, academics and newspaper editors and summed up the high esteem for her within the union movement and in education (even in her 80s) she was still on the council's Education Committee
April 9, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Letters of congratulations she received on receiving her Honorary MA came from union members, MPs, Mayors, academics and newspaper editors and summed up the high esteem for her within the union movement and in education (even in her 80s) she was still on the council's Education Committee
Alice’s life was changed at a @weaadulted.bsky.social summer school in Bangor, “a month of almost complete happiness; a pinnacle of joy never to be quite reached again. The spirit of the WEA was to sustain and accompany me through long years of humble toil” later President of her Bolton WEA branch
April 9, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Alice’s life was changed at a @weaadulted.bsky.social summer school in Bangor, “a month of almost complete happiness; a pinnacle of joy never to be quite reached again. The spirit of the WEA was to sustain and accompany me through long years of humble toil” later President of her Bolton WEA branch
Born “on a scurvy, inhospitable day…a premature victim of nature & the hazards of a moonlight flit” to be awarded an MBE and honorary MA from Manchester Uni📸. The Socialist Sunday School (& their 10 commandments📸), Clarion Cycling 📸& the WEA summer schools were her education.
April 9, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Born “on a scurvy, inhospitable day…a premature victim of nature & the hazards of a moonlight flit” to be awarded an MBE and honorary MA from Manchester Uni📸. The Socialist Sunday School (& their 10 commandments📸), Clarion Cycling 📸& the WEA summer schools were her education.
An incredible day spent at the stunning Bolton Library archives, absorbed by the world of Alice Foley, first female Secretary of a Cotton union. Her autobiography, ‘A Bolton Childhood’ should be widely read. She faced many barriers (esp from her union) to fight for equality and rights for women.
April 9, 2025 at 8:04 PM
An incredible day spent at the stunning Bolton Library archives, absorbed by the world of Alice Foley, first female Secretary of a Cotton union. Her autobiography, ‘A Bolton Childhood’ should be widely read. She faced many barriers (esp from her union) to fight for equality and rights for women.
The first @weaadulted.bsky.social courses began in Jan 1908 in Rochdale and Longton & delivered by RH Tawney. The archives at London Met Uni are an incredible resource where you can trace the incredible challenges faced in setting up this remarkable achievement.
March 30, 2025 at 11:43 AM
The first @weaadulted.bsky.social courses began in Jan 1908 in Rochdale and Longton & delivered by RH Tawney. The archives at London Met Uni are an incredible resource where you can trace the incredible challenges faced in setting up this remarkable achievement.
Privileged to talk to Fiona Hill & hear her story from the Durham coalfields to the Oval Office
"Opportunity does not materialise from thin air & no one does anything alone. Barriers to opportunity & social mobility are personal and universal. Any individual success is a team or collective effort"
"Opportunity does not materialise from thin air & no one does anything alone. Barriers to opportunity & social mobility are personal and universal. Any individual success is a team or collective effort"
March 28, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Privileged to talk to Fiona Hill & hear her story from the Durham coalfields to the Oval Office
"Opportunity does not materialise from thin air & no one does anything alone. Barriers to opportunity & social mobility are personal and universal. Any individual success is a team or collective effort"
"Opportunity does not materialise from thin air & no one does anything alone. Barriers to opportunity & social mobility are personal and universal. Any individual success is a team or collective effort"
* Nick Mansfield's book on the buildings of the Labour mvt is wonderful. The pubs, churches, halls and schools are a physical reminder of the impact of the mvt.
March 20, 2025 at 4:56 PM
* Nick Mansfield's book on the buildings of the Labour mvt is wonderful. The pubs, churches, halls and schools are a physical reminder of the impact of the mvt.
6 new books this week!
- Memoirs (JR Clyne)
- Ellen Wilkinson (B Vernon)
- The Lancs Giant - David Shackleton (R Martin)
- Barefoot Aristocrats (Fowler & Wyke)
- Socialism over 60 years - life of F Jowett (F Brockway)
- Buildings of the Labour Mvt (N Mansfield)*
- Memoirs (JR Clyne)
- Ellen Wilkinson (B Vernon)
- The Lancs Giant - David Shackleton (R Martin)
- Barefoot Aristocrats (Fowler & Wyke)
- Socialism over 60 years - life of F Jowett (F Brockway)
- Buildings of the Labour Mvt (N Mansfield)*
March 20, 2025 at 4:56 PM
6 new books this week!
- Memoirs (JR Clyne)
- Ellen Wilkinson (B Vernon)
- The Lancs Giant - David Shackleton (R Martin)
- Barefoot Aristocrats (Fowler & Wyke)
- Socialism over 60 years - life of F Jowett (F Brockway)
- Buildings of the Labour Mvt (N Mansfield)*
- Memoirs (JR Clyne)
- Ellen Wilkinson (B Vernon)
- The Lancs Giant - David Shackleton (R Martin)
- Barefoot Aristocrats (Fowler & Wyke)
- Socialism over 60 years - life of F Jowett (F Brockway)
- Buildings of the Labour Mvt (N Mansfield)*
Libraries Gave Us Power (or whatever it will end up being called) is very much a personal exploration. We recently moved office, and my refusal to bin everything meant I could put together just some of the booklets and documents I've used to promote learning over the past 20 years.
March 20, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Libraries Gave Us Power (or whatever it will end up being called) is very much a personal exploration. We recently moved office, and my refusal to bin everything meant I could put together just some of the booklets and documents I've used to promote learning over the past 20 years.
For anyone in the Notts/Derbs area, there are two events this week organised by the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Labour History Society.
March 16, 2025 at 1:55 PM
For anyone in the Notts/Derbs area, there are two events this week organised by the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Labour History Society.
I am fortunate to have a copy of the memoir written by NUPE/UNISONs former Head of Education, Jim Sutherland. The sub-title is 'Educate, Organise, Control', taken from his first AEU badge in the 1950s & sets the scene for his view of unions. Have just bought my very own badge, and it is beautiful.
March 14, 2025 at 8:58 AM
I am fortunate to have a copy of the memoir written by NUPE/UNISONs former Head of Education, Jim Sutherland. The sub-title is 'Educate, Organise, Control', taken from his first AEU badge in the 1950s & sets the scene for his view of unions. Have just bought my very own badge, and it is beautiful.
The early stages of the Union Learning Fund (ULF) saw numerous local projects flourish. The @gmb.org.uk in Lincolnshire & Humberside were at the forefront, developing learning centres & establishing Saturday clubs & were recognised with local, regional & national awards for their brilliant work
March 13, 2025 at 1:16 PM
The early stages of the Union Learning Fund (ULF) saw numerous local projects flourish. The @gmb.org.uk in Lincolnshire & Humberside were at the forefront, developing learning centres & establishing Saturday clubs & were recognised with local, regional & national awards for their brilliant work
This week's purchases:
- 2 books on the theory of adult education
- 1 book on the History of the National Union of Boot & Shoe Operatives
- 1 really intriguing-looking history of the union mvt
- 1 simply beautiful album to help me along
- 2 books on the theory of adult education
- 1 book on the History of the National Union of Boot & Shoe Operatives
- 1 really intriguing-looking history of the union mvt
- 1 simply beautiful album to help me along
March 13, 2025 at 8:39 AM
This week's purchases:
- 2 books on the theory of adult education
- 1 book on the History of the National Union of Boot & Shoe Operatives
- 1 really intriguing-looking history of the union mvt
- 1 simply beautiful album to help me along
- 2 books on the theory of adult education
- 1 book on the History of the National Union of Boot & Shoe Operatives
- 1 really intriguing-looking history of the union mvt
- 1 simply beautiful album to help me along
The unions were present (& led on) the UK's strategy for workplace learning. Blunkett's advisory group was tasked with prep of a white paper. Jim Sutherland (UNISON) chaired the workplace learning group, calling for a statutory framework & a 'Code of Practice', similar to Health & Safety legislation
March 10, 2025 at 1:41 PM
The unions were present (& led on) the UK's strategy for workplace learning. Blunkett's advisory group was tasked with prep of a white paper. Jim Sutherland (UNISON) chaired the workplace learning group, calling for a statutory framework & a 'Code of Practice', similar to Health & Safety legislation
The role of UNISON in the 1990s (leading up to the Labour Govt) was vital. Head of edu, Jim Sutherland, created 'Open College' (focused around Return to Learn) providing a pathway for low-paid workers. Jim also convened the 'workplace learning' task group which informed Blunkett's skills white paper
March 10, 2025 at 10:32 AM
The role of UNISON in the 1990s (leading up to the Labour Govt) was vital. Head of edu, Jim Sutherland, created 'Open College' (focused around Return to Learn) providing a pathway for low-paid workers. Jim also convened the 'workplace learning' task group which informed Blunkett's skills white paper
My favourite part of the book relates to her 'odd' choice of subjects at evening school (logic and economics) which led to being called to meet the Director and Chair of the Education committee. She only went to a few millinery classes before switching back to Logic.
February 21, 2025 at 12:26 PM
My favourite part of the book relates to her 'odd' choice of subjects at evening school (logic and economics) which led to being called to meet the Director and Chair of the Education committee. She only went to a few millinery classes before switching back to Logic.
Alice became v active in the @weaadulted.bsky.social & recalled her first experience (a summer school in Bangor):
"It was a month of almost complete happiness; a pinnacle of joy never to be quite reached again. The spirit of the WEA was to sustain and accompany me through long years of humble toil"
"It was a month of almost complete happiness; a pinnacle of joy never to be quite reached again. The spirit of the WEA was to sustain and accompany me through long years of humble toil"
February 21, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Alice became v active in the @weaadulted.bsky.social & recalled her first experience (a summer school in Bangor):
"It was a month of almost complete happiness; a pinnacle of joy never to be quite reached again. The spirit of the WEA was to sustain and accompany me through long years of humble toil"
"It was a month of almost complete happiness; a pinnacle of joy never to be quite reached again. The spirit of the WEA was to sustain and accompany me through long years of humble toil"