News / Bristol Radical History Group
Centenary of General Strike to be commemorated at Bristol Radical History Festival 2026
The 100th anniversary of the General Strike coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Bristol Radical History Group.
The General Strike of 1926 will be one of the main themes of the Bristol Radical History Festival 2026.
Taking place on April 25 and 26 at the M Shed and the Cube, there will be talks, panel discussions, films, history walks and exhibitions.
On May 11 1926, a cart that was delivering beer barrels to pubs was attacked by a small crowd on the Horsefair, following anger at the return to work of some striking draymen.
A few days after the calling off of the UK-wide general strike, a mass meeting was held on the Downs following a demonstration in Old Market in support of the still locked-out miners.
As well as the General Strike, other themes at the Bristol Radical History Festival will be propaganda, utopias and dystopias, and Welsh history.
This propaganda newspaper that had been dropped by German night bombers during World War Two was found in a field near Pensford – courtesy of Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives
A Bristol Radical History Group spokesperson said: “Our first event was the inaugural Bristol Radical History week in October 2006.
“Since then the group has become a permanent fixture on Bristol’s cultural landscape, and along the way has hopefully shifted some perceptions about the city’s history.
“In those 20 years, we have helped organise over 500 events and published over 80 pamphlets and books.
“Our events have always been free or of minimal cost and are organised by local people from Bristol and not funded by universities, political parties, business or local government.
“To break even we rely on our members giving their labour for free and sales from our publications.
“As well as talks and discussions at the festival’s two venues, there will also be space devoted to stalls where you can stock up on pamphlets, books and more, from over 20 publishers and distributors.
“And most importantly, the festival is entirely free and whether you are a serious academic or curious first timer, all are welcome.”
Main photo: Pickets at the London docks wearing official strike picket armbands; source: TUC Library Collections at London Metropolitan University
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