East Ham NUPE Banner - "United we stand - Divided we fall" (any idea where it is now?)

 

Labour movement historian @LondonNurse2015 sent me this marvellous picture of a East Ham branch banner for the "National Union of Public Employees" (a predecessor union of UNISON). 

I have no idea where this banner is now? Anyone know? 

The Art and Ideology of the Trade Union Emblem, 1850–1925

West Ham Poor Law - May Day 1933

A great bit of local Labour movement history. I believe this is from a NUPE publication (one of the predecessor unions that formed UNISON) archives dated 1933. 

The NUPE branch took up the issue of "wardsmaids" employed at Whipps Cross Hospital with West Ham Council to get them a day off in lieu if they worked on May Day. 

At the time (pre NHS) West Ham Council were responsible for Whipps Cross hospital (despite being out of the borough) under Poor Law provisions. 

I will repost on Newham History Facebook page for any further info.

Hat tip @LondonNurse2015

 

"Robert Roberts was a north-Walian quarryman. His death on 23 April 1888 resulted in a churchyard break-in by candlelight, an illicit burial, and the rise of a Prime Minister".

"Robert Roberts was a north-Walian quarryman. His death on 23 April 1888 resulted in a churchyard break-in by candlelight, an illicit burial, and the rise of a Prime Minister.

All because his final wish was to be buried beside his daughter at their local churchyard".

Check out this fascinating tale  hat tip @LondonNurse2015 

Romford Road (Atherton) Swimming Baths 1934

 

Hat tip for this wonderful collage to LCC Municipal https://twitter.com/lccmunicipal/status/1410575532434104323 (&@LondonNurse2015 for drawing it to my attention) . A souvenir brochure on the opening of the baths in 1934.

It has now been knocked down and rebuilt as a leisure centre (with a pool) but I remember swimming in the old baths (freezing cold when the boilers broke down). The drinks machine hot chocolate was pretty horrible but was warm and sweet. 

Apparently it cost £147,000 to build in 1934 and some of the money came from the government in order to give the unemployed work. 

During the 2nd world war it was used as a morgue for victims of the Bliz. 

The baths were very similar to those in my home town of Buckley in NE Wales which was paid for by a one penny levy on each ton of coal mined locally.