The
many faces of La Columna
at the Crich Tramway Village - Crich, Derbys.
16-17 June 2007
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La Columna cause a
stir in the Street
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La
Columna's contribution to the National Tramway Museum's 'Jazz Weekend'
illustrated the extraordinary flexibility of the group; not only did we
re-create Britain's General Strike of 1926, but we also presented an 'Aid
for Spain' event, set in 1937, and give a demonstration of the British
International Brigaders in Spain.
A tall order,
and an even taller order given that the summer of 2007 is going down in
history as the 'Monsoon Summer', and that the La Columna comrades were
hit by a series of unfortunate events that reduced our numbers to six.
But we were not deterred, and proletarian discipline won out!
Staging the
General Strike
Bob, Jessica,
Mairi Ann and Steve, ably supported by Crich tram staff, marched on the
tram terminus, and brought tram traffic to a halt.
Tram drivers
were called from their driving positions, and all traffic was stopped.
Union solidarity appeared to have won the day! But the workers' victory
was short-lived, as the forces of law and order - in the shape of our
marvelous period copper, Paul Crisp, and two La Columna turncoats, James
and Patrick, as middle class Special Constables, arrived to break the
strike.
Free
use of police batons and staves, happily wielded by James in particular,
led to some broken heads, and a scab tram crew being installed in picketed
tram. To a chorus of abuse and slogans, the tram set off, through the
broken ranks of pickets and strikers. This was all well received by the
visitors, many of whom appear not to have heard of the general strike,
and were enlightened by our valiant leafleting comrades - Mairi Ann, and
Margaret, PC Crisp's wife.
'Aid for Spain' Rally
Our colourful Aid for Spain
rally (a mass of flags - Spanish Republican, Basque, Catalan, and revolutionary)
involved a march through the rain swept main street of the village, followed
by a rally held in the fantastic Red Lion pub (which served the most excellent
mild all weekend!).
A packed pub rang to the strains
of 'the Red Flag', and speeches by comrades newly returned from the front,
and from the National Joint Committee in Britain. Comrade Bob cut a dashing
figure in his new period suit, matched (perhaps unwisely) with a new black
shirt! After the rally, we were approached by a number of very enthusiastic
punters, one of whom exclaimed, 'That was amazing! I never knew any of
that! You should go round pubs doing that all the time!' Very flattering.
Although, it does make you wonder what has happened to history in schools
- has it been totally displaced by 'entrepreneurial studies'??
IB colour party
On Sunday morning, in damp
rather than wet weather, a British IB colour party marched through the
town, with women comrades leafleting the crowd and explaining the background.
Again, very good feedback was received. Two parades later, we switched
to General Strike mode again, and a very good class war took place in
front of around 200 visitors. There was much excitement, barracking and
cheering from onlookers - and once again James wielded his big stick with
noticeable enthusiasm!
Crich 2007 was a notable success.
La Columna overcame stupidly bad weather, and decimated activists, to
pull three different scenarios out of the hat - much to the punters' delight.
Full marks to all those there, and an especial mention to Paul and Margaret
who added real copper flavour and much-needed support to the group. We
look forward to working with them again - rumour has it that Paul is tempted
by an Asalto role...
Words: Steve Cullen
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