Fownhope’s Heart of Oak Society traces its roots to the age of friendly societies, when communities provided their own safety net. Its anniversary celebrations reveal a tradition still very much alive, says MARK SEDDON
IN COMMON with much of the last year, October is a prime month for tokenistic gestures.
It is a month when some white people who for the rest of the time treat black people with contempt turn up for their annual dose of black history and food.
Some are even invited to make a speech or two to underline their “against racism” credentials and to say how much they believe that black lives matter.
As extremist movements grow on the streets and at the ballot box, the emergence of the Together Alliance points to a vital strategy: unity across trade unions, campaigners and communities, says TONY CONWAY
ROZ FOYER explains the significance and tradition of today’s St Andrew’s Day March and Rally
CWU leader DAVE WARD tells Ben Chacko a strategy to unite workers on class lines is needed – and sectoral collective bargaining must be at its heart
Sisters came together last weekend for the landmark launch of a new women’s group. ROS SITWELL reports


