Blog - Bristol Radical History Group

Commemoration of the 1831 Bristol ‘Riots’ at Queen Square

By Randell Brantley

29 October 2016 A small group of us gathered at the statue of William III in Queen Square to remember the three day ‘riot’ of October 1831 which shocked the country at the time and put the government in fear of revolution. This event eventually led to the 1832 Reform Act which lessened the rampant corruption in the form of ‘rotten boroughs’, created new seats in a number of industrial cities and increased the franchise to include some of the male middle class (but not women or the working […]

Victims of the Somme – Event Report

By Randell Brantley

The wreath laid in memory of the Jeffries Brothers who died at The Somme in 1916

Today at noon a commemoration was held for the soldiers from The Dings who died at the Somme in World War 1. (See the event listing.) In particular we remembered the Jeffries brothers: Arthur who was killed in action at Geuedecourt on September 16th 1916 and Alfred who was shot at dawn for desertion on November 1st 1916. After a few words - from among others David Jeffries the Great Nephew of the Jeffries brothers, Geoff Woolfe (author of The Bristol Deserter) and Professor Lois Bibbings from […]

Dare Devil Rides to Jarama

By Randell Brantley

A new play by Townsend Productions (the people who brought you United We Stand, a play about the Shrewsbury pickets) speedway, the wall of death and the Spanish Civil War - DARE DEVIL RIDES TO JARAMA. To you we speak, you numberless Englishmen, To remind you of the greatness still among you Created by these men who go from your towns To fight for peace, for liberty and for you. Clem Beckett and Christopher Caudwell were such men. Moved by most Spaniards’ determination to defend themselves […]

National Memorial Arboretum, 29 Oct 2016

By Randell Brantley

Alfred Jefferies' stake in the Shot at Dawn Memorial within the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Three more of the British and Commonwealth soldiers executed during the First World War were remembered on Saturday at the Shot at Dawn Memorial within the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire with a re-dedication service. The Memorial, which was unveiled in 2001, commemorates men shot for disciplinary offences in recognition that the quality of justice they received was likely to be very poor, with no legal representation and a short trial, and that many were suffering from shell-shock, […]

New Book: The Enigma of Hugh Holmes Gore

By Randell Brantley

The Enigma of Hugh Holmes Gore: Bristol’s Nineteenth Century Christian Socialist Solicitor. By Mike Richardson. This is the second book published by BRHG. Find out more... Please circulate this flyer.

90th anniversary of the 1926 General Strike

By Randell Brantley

Dear Friends and comrades, Swindon TUC would like to invite you to an exciting event to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the 1926 General Strike, to be held from midday on Saturday May 7th . As part of an afternoon of activities, we will assemble at midday at Central Community Centre (Emlyn Square, Swindon, SN1 5BP) for a march to re-enact and commemorate the large marches that took place in Swindon in 1926 to support the strike. Edwardian dress is encouraged, but not compulsory! Union […]

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

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, […]