Previously...

There was a disappointing turn out for our social event ´Rhythms of Labour: Histories of Music in the Industrial Workplace´, given by Dr Emma Robertson of Sheffield Hallam University. Singing and whistling at work were common features of preindustrial labour. Yet with the onset of industrialisation, music was increasingly divorced from productive activity, largely due to the new factory discipline. Until the mid twentieth century, only a select number of managers saw the advantages of allowing their employees to work to musical accompaniment. This paper explored the fascinating fate of music in the industrial workplace. Dr Robertson used musical examples, recordings of oral testimony and photographs to illustrate her excellent talk, which was followed by light refreshments.

Dr Robertson was featured talking about the subject on BBC Radio 4´s ´Thinking Allowed´and is Senior Lecturer in History at Sheffield Hallam University, specialising in women's/ gender history and labour history in twentieth-century Britain and the Empire. She has a book with Manchester University Press, entitled Chocolate, Women and Empire: A Social and Cultural History, based largely on her work on the Rowntree Company in York. The 'Rhythms of Labour' project is a collaborative project with Professors Marek Korcysnski and Michael Pickering (Loughborough University), with a book and CD forthcoming in 2010.

Dr Rory Miller: 'The Troubled Relationship Between Britain and Argentina'

In a change to our advertised lecture because Dr Stephen Kenny had to pull out of our March meeting due to personal circumstances, Dr Rory Miller of the University of Liverpool agreed to lecture on the subject of 'The Troubled Relationship Between Britain and Argentina'. We are very grateful for his help at such short notice. His excellent lecture noted key developments in Argentina’s history including oligarchic government, immigration, and the coming of the railways, and described Britain and Argentina’s totally different ways of looking at the same things. In addition, he carefully described the three ways the Argentines integrated immigrants into their society.

Dr Kevin Bean (University of Liverpool Institute of Irish Studies) 'The Origins of the Troubles? Northern Ireland 1966-72'

On his return visit Dr Kevin Bean provided a detailed examination of the immediate causes of the Troubles in Ulster during the late 60s. Once again our lecture sparked much debate among the audience. The lecture was followed by seasonal refreshments.

Dr Alexander Grant: ‘Richard III and Lancashire’

Dr Grant is Reader in Medieval British History at the University of Lancaster, and provided an interesting, detailed and somewhat controversial lecture on the rise and fall of Richard III and of his links with the local area, looking closely at faction and politics in Lancashire. His lecture drew interesting parallels with modern U.K. politics and sparked debate among the audience, who were split in their assessment of Richard’s character.

The A.G.M. of the Bolton Branch was held at 7.30pm in the Upper Room of Bolton Parish Hall and was followed light refreshments and by Dr Max Jones providing a fascinating insight into ‘Captain Scott: the Explorer as Hero'. His lively examination of the story of Captain Scott and the changing way he has been viewed over the years was very well received.

Dr Max Jones is Senior Lecturer in Modern History at the University of Manchester. He is the author of The Last Great Quest: Captain Scott’s Antarctic Sacrifice (2003) and editor of Scott’s Journals: Captain Scott’s Last Expedition (2005). His current research project investigates the rise and fall of the national hero.

Horwich Heritage and History Fair

Branch chairman David Clayton and secretary Jenni Hyde attended the Horwich Heritage and History Fair on behalf of the Bolton Branch, giving away programmes for the 2009-10 season and Historical Association pens and post-it notes, as well as selling books, magazines and ties for branch funds. The event was opened by Bolton Mayor, Cllr Norman Critchley, who said "What you are doing is vital for future generations," and stressed the importance of an understanding of history for everyone. The branch also took the opportunity to begin giving out questionnaires on behalf of the Institute of Historical Research History in Education Project. For more information see 'Forthcoming Events' and 'Links'.

‘We Are The Women Left On The Shore’ by Scold’s Bridle. Followed by supper.
An audience of more than 40 enjoyed the performance of ‘We Are The Women Left On The Shore’ by Scold’s Bridle. Friends of the branch joined our members for our successful social event. Scold’s Bridle performed a song cycle looking at the lives of the women left behind in England’s fishing ports when the men went off to fish the seas for weeks at a time. This was followed by a high quality buffet supper and time for conversation.
Liz Moore and Sue Bousfield, as Scold’s Bridle, sing traditional and contemporary songs and are established as one of the country’s leading female duos. The relaxed manner of their delivery conjures intimacy and belies the care and preparation that goes into each performance. Exquisite harmonies are interwoven with sensitive interpretation to produce a spectrum of songs ranging from the poignant to the wistful, from ballad to rousing chorus. With stagecraft well developed and with warmth and open friendliness they produce a perfectly timed and polished performance of vocals, guitar, bouzouki and English concertina.

Dr Zheng Yangwen: ‘The Opium War, 1839-42’

A vivacious and dynamic examination of the origins, theatre and consequences of the first opium war, which Dr Zheng argued was as much, if not more, about the silver which had to be used to pay for the tea which the rich British drank. Opium was much the same for the Chinese: like tea it was used first by the rich and upper classes and became essential to the foreign culture. After discussing the events of the war, she drew out the consequences including the undermining of the authority of the ruling (alien) court, the rise of nationalism and communism, as well as the onset of the semi-colonial era.

Dr Yangwen Zheng is lecturer in Imperial Modern China at the Confuscius Institute of the University of Manchester. In April 2007 she was a contributor to Melvyn Bragg’s BBC Radio 4 programme ‘In Our Time’ on the subject of the Opium Wars.

Dr Glyn Redworth: ‘A Family at War? King Philip I of England 1554-1558’

Dr Till Geiger: ‘American Power and the Origins of the Cold War’

Through a series of cartoons Dr Geiger investigated the various attitudes to the historiography of the Cold War. The idea that American power is at the heart of the cold war goes against the way that in the west we’ve always been taught it was caused by the policies of Stalin. It’s seen through the prism of ideology. Dr Geiger pointed out that most of what has been written was written by the Americans. Traditionalists including American officials put forward the view that the USA’s proposals at the end of WWII would have allowed the whole world to work together on an equal basis. Instead the Russians refused to agree terms, so the Americans had to take a defensive position instead.

The Traditional view is challenged by Revisionists who say the USA pressured others to accept the protection of American markets. Post-revisionists, whilst mainly agreeing with the Traditionalists, accepted that the revisionists had a point in that the Americans were trying to protect their own interests. He suggested there was no common ground between the USA and Russia because they didn’t understand each other at all.

Dr Geiger argued that the story defies a simple explanation and operates on many levels. We have concentrated on the way governments attempt to govern. American power was preponderant in the post-war era, but it lacked coherence. There was a need for co-operation but it couldn’t be achieved by US unilateral action. Western Europe realised it relied on US aid so drifted towards co-operation. American power changed by realising its limitations.

Dr Kevin Bean: ‘A Catholic Constitution for a Catholic People? The 1937 Irish Constitution’

Dr Bean presented an interesting look at the forces at work in the preparation of the 1937 Irish Constitution, including the church. It was very much De Valera’s work, and he knew that he couldn’t alienate the church but there were also liberal influences. Dr Bean also commented on later changes to the constitution and the reasons behind them.