Blog - Bristol Radical History Group

Freedom Bookshop Firebombed

By Randell Brantley

From Verso's website: Freedom, London's oldest anarchist bookshop, was firebombed in the early hours of Friday 1st Febuary. Early reports suggest the bookshop on the ground floor and the building's electrics were “seriously damaged”, despite the bookshop having been fitted with metal shutters following a bombing by members of Combat 18, a British neo-fascist group, in 1993. Thankfully, nobody was hurt in last night's attack. reedom Bookshop is home of Freedom newspaper, Britain's longest running […]

ACTION NOW! The Forest of Dean

By Randell Brantley

ACTION NOW!The Forest of Dean is being Enclosed and Sold off! Join us for a 'walk' on Sunday the 3rd of February! Take Notice, Foresters All, that Free Peoples of the Forest, intend to Meet at 12o'clock near the Free Miner Monument in Cinderford Triangle on Sunday next, the 3rd of February instant for the purpose of Opening the Forest, which hath in part of late been enclosed and threatened with Privatisation, Sale, "Land Exchanges" and other forms of political thievery and corruption. We […]

From Bristol with Love

By Randell Brantley

Two good interviews. First one is an interview with Noel in 2011 just after the August Riots. He talks about his involvement in the Hartcliffe Riots, 1981 Riots and football hooliganism. The second is an interview with Dean Forest from the Forest of Dean. He talks about local history, 'Who killed the Bears?', Hands Off Our Forest, Squatting, the Wilderness Centre and much more.

Kings Cross Tube Fire 25 years on

Health and Safety, Fight Club and neo-liberal logic

By Randell Brantley

Today (18th Nov 2012) is the 25th anniversary of the fire at Kings Cross tube station which killed 31 people and injured over 100 (see ) . The fire was 'blamed' at the time on a lit match which fell below the escalator and began the deadly inferno. The fire and subsequent inquiry led to the banning of smoking in stations, the phasing out of wooden escalators and forced London Underground to invest in heat and smoke detection systems, automatic sprinkler systems, CCTV and improved public address […]

‘Glad Tidings of Struggle and Strife: A History of Protest Christmas Cards’ – 27 October, Newport

By Randell Brantley

Glad Tidings of Struggle and Strife - A history of protest Christmas cards Saturday October 27th 2012 1pm - 3.30pm, Newport Museum & Art Gallery Opening event: Four veteran activists have been invited to speak at the opening: Hanif Bhanjee, former secretary Wales Anti Apartheid; Ray Davies, left wing activist; Ray Lawrence, former NUM and Jill Gough, Wales CND BOOK LAUNCH: An accompanying book Glad Tidings of Struggle and Strife by Llew and Pam Smith will be launched at the opening and will […]

Alan Woodward

By Randell Brantley

I am sorry to say that our friend and companero Alan Woodward passed away on Saturday 20th October, 6pm, at the North Middlesex Hospital. Alan Woodward was a lifelong working class revolutionary immersed in support for workplace struggles and other anti-capitalist movements. He started with the International Socialists (later the Socialist Workers Party). He was then very active in the Haringey Trades Union Council. In recent years he gravitated towards independent libertarian politics, […]

Pirates Cancelled

By Randell Brantley

Unfortunately due to circumstances far beyond the control of Bristol Radical History Group, the debate between University of West of England and BRHG members 'The Truth About Pirates' at MShed tomorrow night (Thursday 18th October) has been cancelled. We hope that the event will be rescheduled for the near future. Sorry if you wanted to go, we are as disappointed as you.

Shrewsbury 24 e-Petition

By Randell Brantley

Full disclosure of all Government documents relating to the 1972 building workers strike and the conspiracy trials at Shrewsbury Responsible department: Ministry of Justice In 1972, building workers held their first ever national strike for decent pay and health & safety at work. Five months after the strike ended, 24 trade union members were charged with offences allegedly arising from picketing in Shrewsbury in September 1972. They included individuals who were convicted of conspiracy and […]

Ben Tillett Audio

By Randell Brantley

Below is the audio from Jim McNeil's talk about Ben Tillett at Hydra Books. The talk an opportunity for Jim to launch his new pamphlet about Ben Tileltt. To find out more about this pamphlet, and all our pamphlets, take a look at the Publications Page. Part 1 Part 2

Mo’ May day Events

By Randell Brantley

Bristol Radical History Group are putting on two events for May Day: The Haymarket, Chicago and Mayday and The Friends of Durruti and the Maydays in Barcelona (1937) . Detials of these can be found on the events page. In addition to this the Bristol Fist Of May Group are putting on many eight events. You can find details of these on their website.