Category Archives: NHS

My review of Lovers & Strangers An Immigrant History of Post-War Britain Clair Wills

      Clair Wills has written a fascinating and insightful book  about the role of immigrants in Britain between 1940s and 1960s. Popular history and culture frames post war migration  around the images of the West Indian community and … Continue reading

Posted in book review, education, feminism, human rights, Ireland, Irish second generation, labour history, Manchester, NHS, North of Ireland, political women, trade unions, Uncategorized, women | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Political Women: Sandy Rose, Socialist, Feminist, Trade Unionist

  In this occasional series I ask the question; why do some women become political activists?  Sandy Rose was part of the post war generation that lived at a time of great hope, this is her story……….. “I was born … Continue reading

Posted in anti-cuts, biography, Communism, education, feminism, human rights, labour history, Manchester, NHS, political women, Salford, Socialism, Socialist Feminism, trade unions, Uncategorized, women, working class history, young people | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

My review of “Winter Hill” by Timberlake Wertenbaker at Bolton Octagon

Winter Hill, towering over Bolton, is an iconic landmark to people in the northwest: one that in 1896   pushed  thousands of activists to march to it to demand the right to roam. In a new play called Winter Hill, playwright … Continue reading

Posted in anti-cuts, drama, feminism, labour history, NHS, Northern ReSisters Conversations with Radical Women, political women, Socialist Feminism, Uncategorized, women, working class history | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Stop,Look,Listen…my weekly selection of favourite films, books and events to get you out of the house

Watch.. Marie Curie (DVD). Made in 1977 and starring Jane Lapotaire this is a fascinating account of a pioneering female scientist. Marie was Polish, had to work as a governness to pay for her own and her sister’s education, so … Continue reading

Posted in anti-cuts, art exhibition, book review, Communism, drama, education, feminism, films, labour history, Manchester, NHS, peace campaigns, political women, Socialist Feminism, Uncategorized, women | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Stop,Look,Listen…my weekly selection of favourite films, books and events to get you out of the house

Watch…. The Lightbulb Conspiracy Hacked off by the way that products never seem to last very long? Well this is why. This film tells you the story of companies who design their products to fail! The system is called “planned … Continue reading

Posted in anti-cuts, art exhibition, drama, education, feminism, films, human rights, labour history, Manchester, NHS, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

North West campaign launched to defend Mental Health Services

Why is it in 2014 that writers and celebrities are often the chosen speakers at many demos or public events about the austerity? Is it because the left is so disengaged from the people on the frontline of the cuts? … Continue reading

Posted in anti-cuts, disabled people's campaigns, human rights, Manchester, NHS, political women, Salford, trade unions, women | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Save Bolton Psychological Therapy Service

It is a Friday lunchtime in Bolton, Greater Manchester and the streets are busy with shoppers. It is also World Mental Health Day and campaigners from Save our Health Services Bolton are out on the streets of the town centre … Continue reading

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Stop,Look,Listen…my weekly selection of favourite films, books and events to get you out of the house

Watch …The Yellow Balloon(DVD)..made in 1953 and in black and white it is the story of Frankie, a 12 year old boy living in London with his parents. Whilst out playing in a bombed out building, his friend dies and … Continue reading

Posted in anti-cuts, book review, Communism, drama, films, human rights, labour history, NHS, Socialism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Stop,Look,Listen…my weekly selection of favourite films, books and events to get you out of the house

Watch….Cotton Couture….a film and exhibition at Manchester City Art Gallery. Cotton was king in these parts until its decline in the mid- 20 century. In the 1950s the Cotton Board, which was based in Manchester tried to promote cotton products … Continue reading

Posted in anti-cuts, art exhibition, drama, education, feminism, films, human rights, labour history, Manchester, NHS, political women, Socialism, Tameside, trade unions, Uncategorized, women, young people | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Stop,Look,Listen…my weekly selection of favourite films, books and events to get you out of the house

Watch…The Mill (Channel 4) a series created by left wing writer John Fay and set at Quarry Bank Mill in Cheshire charting the rise of radical politics. Not the usual its grim up north programme but a series that has … Continue reading

Posted in anti-cuts, Communism, drama, feminism, human rights, labour history, Manchester, Middle East, music, NHS, Palestine, poetry, political women, Salford, Socialist Feminism, TV drama, Uncategorized, young people | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments