2014’s MayDay
celebrations have started with two excellent events and a considerable increase
in the interest levels.
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| 1915 Rent strikes in Glasgow |
Last Saturday, the new
Friends of MayDay (GFoMD) organised ‘Walk through the War’ had its first outing
and a small but interested band took a couple of hours to visit a number of
Glasgow sites associated with events linked to different campaigns connected to
the First World War.
Starting at the site
of the notorious Duke Street Jail – used to imprison suffragettes, anti-war
campaigners and strikers – the walk wound its way via George Square, the Clyde
and Bath Street to the old St Andrew’s Hall building. The rain kept off and the
history of those radicals still fighting while war raged was laid out through
the city!
Good news for fans of
these walks is that a joint application to Glasgow’s Doors Open Day organisers
on behalf of GFoMD and the Scottish Labour History Society has been successful,
and both the ‘walk through the War, and a variant on last year’s East End Walk
(from Bridgeton to George Square) will feature in this year’s (September)
programme.
From First War to
Spanish War
Then on Thursday, a
different war featured, as Calton Books launched their reprint of John and
Willy Maley’s play From Calton to Catalonia based on their father’s experiences
as an International Brigader in the Spanish Civil War. It’s available from
Calton Books – their FB site is here.
Willie Maley was
present to introduce the book and expand on the fascinating character that his
father must have been. Particularly good for an ex-colleague of mine – Dougie
Hay – to get a mention! And proving that Glasgow is the biggest village in the
world, the MayFest connection came full circle – the first outing of the play
was part of that lamented festival!
Some great music,
from Chris and Paul of The Wakes wound up a cracker of an evening!
March and rally to the
Cabaret
A great start to this
year’s mayday celebrations! On to the MayDay rallies on Saturday across
Scotland, and in Glasgow on Sunday! And remember to get your tickets for the
Great MayDay Cabaret at Oran Mor on Monday night. Tickets across the bar in OM,
on line from their website, or from the GFoMD stall at the O2 Academy Rally on Sunday.
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