Buildings of the Labour Movement (English Heritage) - Softcover

Mansfield, Nick

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1848021291 ISBN 13: 9781848021297

Publisher: Historic England, 2013

Synopsis

This fascinating survey ranges from the communal buildings of the early 19th-century political radicals, Owenites and Chartists, through Arts and Crafts influenced socialist structures of the late Victorian and Edwardian period to the grand union `castles' of the mid twentieth century. There are also chapters on the ubiquitous co-operative architecture, long forgotten socialist holiday camps, and those memorials associated with the hidden story of radical ex-servicemen and their remembrance of war dead. The countryside is also not forgotten with rural labour buildings, as well as the clubhouses of idealistic socialist cyclists. The book though is not just about bricks and mortar but uncovers the social history of the men and women who worked so hard locally to achieve their goals. Though many buildings have been lost over the years, the book outlines the recent struggle for their preservation and details many which can still be visited.

About this title

Review:

"This book is not just about bricks and mortar, it helps the reader follow the underlying ideology, and details of some of the relevant individuals and events are included. The text is supported by excellent colour photos of the buildings, characters and banners relating to the cause and chapters are divided into seperate smaller movements, which roughly make a chronological succession [...] There is much to like in this book; I know it's a tome I'll refer to again and again."
Lynne Pardoe, The SPAB Magazine (Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings)

About the Author:

Nick Mansfield is Senior Research Fellow in History, University of Central Lancashire

About this edition

• Publisher: Historic England
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1848021291
• ISBN 13: 9781848021297
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 164