Ashes and Diamonds

A tribute to the mining industry and the people who fought to defend it.

An exhibition, that has already been displayed at Hurst House adult education centre, Abercrombie Street, Chesterfield, will move to Wortley Hall, between Sheffield and Barnsley, on the week commencing November 6. Organiser John Dunn said: “Our day release course with Sheffield University used to be held in Hurst House, and Wortley Hall was the venue for our weekend schools and longer courses. (Quotes taken from Sheffield Star article).

Meeting for workers and unemployed people

PCS Sheffield are holding "a campaigning and organising meeting for workers and unemployed people at 6.30 pm, Wednesday 19th October at the Quaker Meeting House, St James Street, Sheffield." 

Jarrow March: Rotherham Leg!

The Jarrow March passed through Rotherham yesterday! RAC members were there to encourage the marchers!

Around 30 young people passed through Thorpe Hesley yesterday. They stopped for their lunch at the Masons Arms, and had food paid for by donations from RAC and Rotherham NUT. Marchers were filmed by TV crews and interviewed by numerous journalists!

Around 20 supported turned up to welcome the Marchers into Rotherham, bearing banners and flags, and a few joined the Marchers on their way to Sheffield!

Here are a few videos taken from the internet - one of which inlcudes an interview with Rotherham's Kerry Hitchen!

RAC Jarrow March Welcoming Rally

1145am - Thorpe Hesley Recreation Ground... Greet the Marchers!

The Jarrow March is inching closer to Rotherham... today the march was featured on Jeremy Vine's Radio 2 programme - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b014x4zd#clips

We invite everyone, and hope for as many as possible, to meet at the recreation ground in Thorpe (for directions follow link below) at 11:45 to welcome the Jarrow Marchers!

Directions to the ground:

http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/directory_record/63307/barnsley_road_recreation_ground

We'll be gathering on the corner of Barnsley Road and Chapelfield Road... For those not driving, the number 66 bus from Rotherham Interchange stops at the terminus at the Recreation Ground:

Link to 66 timetable:

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/south_yorkshire/journey_planning/timetables/timetable.php?day=1&source_id=2&service=6%2F66%2F77&routeid=2878461&operator=26&source=sp

Please bring banners, placards and noise making devices... Once the marchers arrive they will be stopping for their lunch at the Masons Arms pub - who have very kindly arranged to provide the marchers with pie, peas and chips (and cheese sandwiches for the veggies!) with money raise by RAC and Rotherham NUT!

Link to Masons Arms:

http://www.masonsarmsthorpehesley.co.uk/

Here is the Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=220108728053290

Please tell as many people as possible and give the Marchers the best lunchtime reception of the march!!!

Jarrow March Under Way!

The Jarrow March 2011 is under way and is getting good coverage from the Mirror newspaper!

As the Jarrow March 2011 winds it's way through the country, preparations are under way in Rotherham to greet the Marchers as they pass through our area!

The Jarrow march will be passing through THORPE HESLEY on the 12th October at around 1200. They will be stopping for an hour or so for a lunch break and RAC will be donating some funds and helping to organise food and refreshments for all the Marchers! A 'Welcoming Rally' will be held from 1145 at the Recreation Ground in Thorpe Hesley - which can be reached on the number 66 bus from either Rotherham or Sheffield... 

We would like to invite and encourage as many people, community groups and trade unions as possible to join us at the 'Welcoming Rally' and to join the Marchers as the march from Rotherham to Sheffield! Bring banners, placards and noise-making tools!!!

You can keep up with Jarrow March progress at the Jarrow March 2011 blog and the Mirror newspaper website -and see if you can find RAC's Kerry Hitchen, representing us on the March!

RAC at the Tory Party Conference!

RAC members were part of the 35,000 strong, TUC-backed March for the Alternative at the Tory Party Conference in Manchester! 

Rotherham's finest flying the flag in Manchester!

RAC Public Meeting:

As we gear up for a autumn of potential industrial action and community fight back against the cuts RAC are holding a public meeting on the 29th September. 

Speakers will give a national context for our local fight-back and provide evidence that there are millions of people organising opposition to the cuts throughout the country!

Date: 29th September
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: Talbot Lane Methodist Church, Moorgate Street, Rotherham

Speakers

Jerry Hicks Unite
Paul Brandon National chair Right to work
Marion Lloyd PCS NEC Member
Kerry Hitchen Jarrow March